The Taraba State Government has cleared the air on the whereabouts of Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali.
According to the state government, the politician has been away for medical reasons but will resume duty soon.
Alkali has been away since November 2024. And his absence has raised concerns among stakeholders in and outside the state.
However, the State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman, who briefed newsmen after the Taraba Executive Council Meeting on Monday, said the deputy governor had a stroke.
Zainab said the stroke affected the deputy governor’s ability to talk but said Alkali is recuperating and intends to resume soon.
She said, ”Sometimes around November last year, his excellency had an ailment that necessitated his movement to Abuja for treatment.
“From Abuja, he was later moved to Cairo, Egypt for further checks and the commissioner of health was delegated to check on his health status.
“Taraba residents need to sympathize with the executive council, his excellency, and the deputy governor as per his health condition.
“Ailment is something that is general and can happen to anyone. Before you approach a court of law to ascertain the health, fitness, or otherwise of any principal officer in the state, the human nature of a particular person should be taken into consideration first.”
”His Excellency is a human being even before becoming the deputy governor of Taraba State. The person that went to the court is also human and can fall sick too. He is recuperating very well and we are expecting him back soon to resume his duty,” she told the gathering.
When asked about the possibility of impeaching the deputy governor after 90 days away from the state, the commissioner said the law does not dictate that.
“Let me come in as a lawyer now. From my background, this principle of 90 days applies only to a sitting governor of a state, not the deputy.
“His determination or eligibility to be in the office is all determined by the governor,” the commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Bordiya Buma who visited the ailing deputy governor in Egypt, said he is recuperating well.
”He had a stroke, which affected a part of his body, weakness in one part of the body. His ability to talk was affected but glory be to God the treatment is still ongoing and we are happy with the current treatment he is receiving,” Bordiya said.
”We are hoping that very soon, we will welcome him back to the state to continue his normal activities,” he added.
