Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Danbaba Suntai, who recently returned from the United States, cannot yet resume his governorship post as he isn’t fit enough, according to the Taraba State caucus in the National Assembly and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

Although members of both bodies recognised Suntai as the undisputed Governor of the state, they sided with the decision of the Taraba State House of Assembly that Garba Umar continues to govern the state in acting capacity until the governor’s full recovery.

Speaking with journalists at the Federal House of Representatives on Friday, Senator Abubakar Tutare described the decision of the state Assembly as constitutional, and warned external influences against exploiting the situation to the detriment of Taraba people.

“Rather than be concerned about bringing development to the state, we are busy politicking with the health of our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Danbaba Suntai,” said Tutare, who was flanked at the briefing by Majority Whip of the House of Representatives, Ishaka Bawa; Ibrahim El Sudi; and Aminu Malle.

“Rather than uniting our people who are peace loving, dynamic and enterprising, we are busy dividing them and creating unnecessary tension for selfish reasons. Instead of praying for Governor Danbaba’s speedy recovery, we are busy scheming, out smarting and outwitting each other for selfish aggrandizement or the unknown 2015 agenda.

“As concerned Tarabans in the National Assembly, we sat and deliberated over the negative media hype pervading the already-charged political atmosphere in the country and hereby plead with the various political gladiators within and outside Taraba State to allow peace to prevail in the state.

“Our position is that His Excellency; Danbaba Danfulani Suntai is and remains the undisputed Executive Governor of Taraba State.”

Of the nine members representing Taraba State in the National Assembly (three Senators and six representatives), five signed the position statement of the caucus. The four others — Jerry Manwe, Albert Sam-Tsokwa and two senators — were absent.