Residents of Taraba state Thursday told absent Governor Darius Ishaku to as a matter of urgency return to the state or resign.
Some residents of the state, who spoke with Blueprint, lamented that Governor Ishaku’s prolong absence from the state is unacceptable and harmful for the state.
A resident of Angwan-Gadi, Mallam Abanunu Jalingo, expressed worried that if the governor is not medically fit to return to Taraba he should humbly relinquished power to his deputy.
“We have seen him on social media attending functions in Abuja, if he is fit to attend functions and go round in Abuja, what stops him from coming down to the state” he said.
He maintained that it is quite unfortunate that a governor of state would live his state for over two months and go and sit down in Abuja on account of health issue.
He explained that governor Ishaku’s absent has a negative impact on the state economy.
Also, the Taraba Social Accountability Group (TSAG) accused the leadership of the Taraba state House of Assembly for aiding impunity in the governance of the State by passing a vote of confidence on Gov Darius Ishaku.
The Co-convener of the group, Comrade Abdulaziz Gassol said the House of Assembly as the representatives of the people was supposed to ensure checks and balances to deepen democracy, but were rather promoting impunity in the State.
Gassol, who flayed the assembly for passing a vote of confidence on the governor who has been away from the state for over two months, thereby grounding government activities in the state described their action as undemocratic.
“This present crop of leadership we have in the State House of Assembly which was imposed by the Governor is just helping the Governor to sink the ship of governance in the State.
“The Governor has been away for over two months without transmitting power to his Deputy and you know there is very little the deputy Governor can do when he is not in acting capacity.
“This leadership of the Assembly is simply a rubber stamp leadership that operates on the whims and caprices of the Governor.
“The good thing is that only 12 out of 24 members signed the undemocratic vote of confidence on the Governor and we urged the 12 that refuse to sign to remain focus because Taraba masses are with them,” he said.
The chairman, Taraba state House of Assembly Committee on information, Barr Bashir Mohammed did not return calls or reply to a text message sent to his phone for reaction on the accusation.
Governor Darius Ishaku was last seen in public in the state on December 19 last year when he presented the 2020 budget to the House of Assembly.
His continuous stay away from the State on health grounds according to his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Bala Dan-Abu has sparked controversy following his failure to transmit power to his Deputy Engr. Haruna Manu.
