Taraba Crisis: Ailing Gov. Danbaba Suntai and acting-governor Garba Umar lay claim to governorship seat

Taraba state drifted further Wednesday without a clear decision on who was in charge after its acting governor, Garba Umar, dismissed the dissolution of the state cabinet by ailing governor, Danbaba Suntai, insisting that he would continue to act as governor until the state assembly decided otherwise.

Mr. Umar said he was however willing to revert to his position as deputy governor if the House of Assembly, which had insisted on determining Mr. Suntai’s true health condition, asked him to do so.

“I am waiting to hear from them. As I speak to you, if the assembly tells me to revert to the position of deputy, I will comply,” Mr. Umar was quoted as saying Wednesday as the state appeared to inch towards a full-blown political crisis.

The acting governor had earlier dismissed Mr. Suntai’s decision on Wednesday to dissolve the state council and appoint a new secretary, insisting that he was in charge since the state assembly was yet to notify him that the governor, who returned on Sunday from a 10-month medical trip abroad, had resumed work.

Umar's spokesman, Kefas Sule said the steps purportedly taken by Mr. Suntai so far were null and void.

“Before he assumed office as acting governor, a letter was conveyed to him by the state House of Assembly confirming him. Up till this moment, there is no communication from the House to say that confirmation has been reversed,” Sule said.

“To the best of our knowledge there are no two governments in Taraba and all members of the State Executive Council remain in office.”

Mr. Suntai, who appeared apparently ill during his arrival on Sunday, has made no public appearance or given an address since his arrival, fuelling speculation about the state of his mind and capacity to lead the state.