The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) has bemoaned the current state of governance and service delivery in Taraba State, saying that the power tussle in the state has negatively affected the social and economic life of the residents.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, NHRC’s Coordinator, Mr Samuel Olorunwa, described the activities of some personalities in the state at fueling distrust and apprehension with the state of health of the ailing governor, Dambaba Suntai, as anti-masses.
“We are alarmed that the state of Suntai’s health remains undisclosed to the people that elected him. The electorate is therefore not aware if the person they have elected is the one running the state or his unelected, curious and shadowy kitchen cabinet.
“In Taraba, a small clique fraudulently claiming to act on behalf of the ailing State Governor has taken over the leadership of the State including the running of the finances of the state.”
While expressing its sympathy to the governor, NHRC averred that Suntai’s issue is being aggravated by the antics of a self-serving group that wants to keep him in power, instead of allowing him to go for full medical treatment.
Olorunwa said further that: “ This is is the time to speak out against this criminal and inhuman act of a small unfeeling group that is more concerned about making financial gains from the misfortune of the state governor.
“At present, two people are standing as governors of one single state with conflicting orders. The instability in the state can lead to further break down of law and order, violence and at present constitutes another major threat to democratic renaissance in Nigeria.
“We in the Human Rights Community, call on the IGP to inform the public on who forged the letter purportedly written by the state governor. The Taraba House of Assembly should initiate the process to ascertain the condition of Governor Suntai’s health and establish whether he was responsible for orders being issued and executed by a despotic cabal,” the group said.