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Dariye sneaks into Jos
Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Suspended Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye sneaked into Jos on Monday, 48 hours to the end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
There was, however, confusion in the state as his whereabouts remained unknown and the debate over whether or not he would be reinstated on Thursday heightened.
Most of his loyalists, friends and political associates, who thronged the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, on Monday to receive him were disappointed as the governor failed to arrive through the airport as earlier announced.
More than three lorry loads of heavily armed mobile policemen had taken positions at the airport as early as 6am to avoid any breakdown of law and order
Our correspondent learnt that an alternative arrangement had to be made for his return following security reports that some people wanted to take advantage of his arrival to cause trouble in Jos.
A close associate of the suspended governor claimed that Dariye arrived the country on Sunday and was scheduled to make a triumphant entry into Jos, on Monday.
He said they were advised not to rejoice yet as the Federal Government�s position on the state of emergency imposed on May 18 was not yet clear.
Another source told our correspondent that Dariye had to leave London earlier than scheduled following rumours that the government asked the British authorities to detain him in London.
The source said, �As far as we are concerned everything is okay. But the fact that the President has not made a statement is giving some people enough time to make some political maneuverings to see that the emergency rule is extended. But so far they appear to be failing.�
Meanwhile, it was business as usual at the Government House, Rayfield, as activities did not indicate that the Sole Administrator, Maj. Gen. Chris Alli, who arrived the country on Sunday from London after a five-day vacation, is in a hurry to hand over.
Our correspondent gathered that Alli is in a quandary over what moves Obasanjo would take.
According to a source, �The administrator is keeping his usual schedule because the situation is not yet clear, but from all indications, he is going.�
When our correspondent visited Government House the administrator was busy receiving various interest groups in what the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. John Gobak, described as �farewell meetings.
�As far we know as a government we are preparing our handover notes as directed by the President. If you are confused when you came here, we at this end, we are not,� Gobak said.
He said that Alli was scheduled to make a statewide broadcast on Wednesday after which a farewell dinner would be held for him at the Government House.
The PUNCH, Tuesday, November 16, 2004.
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