The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suntai

  • Suntai: Taraba NASS caucus, Speakers back state Assembly

    Suntai: Taraba NASS caucus, Speakers back state Assembly

    … Say, ‘Umar remains acting governor’

    The Taraba State caucus in the National Assembly and the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria on Friday affirmed the ailing Danbaba Suntai as the undisputed governor of the state.

    The two bodies, however, backed the decision of the state House of Assembly that Garba Umar should continue in his role as acting of the state.

    They described the decision of the state Assembly in that regard as constitutional.

    The lawmakers also warned external influences against exploiting the situation to the detriment of the people of the State.

    While addressing reporters at the House of Representatives on Friday, Senator Abubakar Tutare said the unfolding political melodrama in Taraba State is unfortunate, shameful and uncalled for.

    Tutare was flanked by the House of Representatives Majority Whip, Ishaka Bawa, Ibrahim El Sudi and Aminu Malle, while Jerry Manwe, Albert Sam-Tsokwa and two Senators missed the briefing.

    The state has nine members in the National Assembly – made up of three Senators and six in the lower legislative House.

    Five members signed the statement of the position of the caucus.

    Tutare said, “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.

    “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.”

     

     

  • Will Suntai attend convention?

    Will Suntai attend convention?

    Governor Dambaba Suntai is the main issue in Taraba State today. The main question is whether the stakeholders in the polaised state are with him or not.

    Tomorrow, the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) governors will lead the party delegates to the special convention holding in Abuja. As the Taraba State leader of the party, Suntai is expected to take his eminent seat among the top party leaders. But, will he make the convention?

    His camp has insisted that the ailing governor is fit to continue in office. To demonstrate that he is fully in charge, he has fired the Secretary to Government, Chief of Staff and commissioners. Also, the governor promptly appointed Mr. Kataps as the new SSG and Alhaji Aminu Jiga as the COS.

    Suntai’s return from his 10 month overseas medical trip has coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the state creation. The governor’s broadcast was the main highlight of the anniversary ceremony. The House of Assembly led by Speaker Haruna Tsokwa is divided on whether Suntai has resumed or the deputy governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, is still the acting governor.

    The challenges at home are daunting. The governor met a divided party polarised by the antagonistic ambitions of his subordinates, a cabinet divided by ego war and a state threatened by the religious divide. However, after 10 months of absence from the PDP family, the Abuja mini-convention will offer Suntai an opportunity for reunion with colleagues, associates and other stakeholders from the 35 states. But will the Taraba governor attend the special convention? If he will not attend, what are his reasons?

  • NBA wants Suntai to address House ‘in person’

    NBA wants Suntai to address House ‘in person’

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Thursday urged Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai to address the House of Assembly in person if he is indeed healthy enough to resume official duties.

    The association took the position during its Annual General Meeting at the ongoing Annual General Conference in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

    It said the controversy over the governor’s health status is capable of creating constitutional and political crisis in the state.

    NBA said reports that there are “pseudo-governors” in Taraba should be cleared once and for all to restore the people’s faith in governance.

    NBA President Okey Walli (SAN) said: “The governor should address the House of Assembly. If he does not address the House, then it means he is not there.”

    On indiscipline among lawyers, Wali said NBA in May this year barred five lawyers and suspended two for five years after its disciplinary committee concluded 22 of 41 cases before it.

    “We are determined to deal with corruption and indiscipline at the Bar. I am sorry to say that more (disbarrments) are on the way.

    “Some of our colleagues have turned themselves to conduits of all sorts, hobnobbing with clients and, with respect, some judicial officers to subvert the rule of law.

    “We are determined to return the legal profession to its past glory. The message is clear: it is no longer business as usual,” Wali said.

     

     

  • Suntai and Taraba youths

    SIR: Who and where are these so called “Taraba Youths” reported as protesting and demanding, that Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State address the people publicly if he is applying to the Taraba House of Assembly to resume duty?

    The so-called youths should cast their minds back, compare and contrast the difference between the coming home of late president Yar’adua and Governor Suntai. You would agree with me that the coming of the governor was transparent. He arrived alive in view of all Nigerians and waved to all his well-wishers.

    Apart from that, the acting governor of the state and the Governor of Adamawa State were given free access to visit and discuss with him, unlike Yar’adua whom even his Vice-President, Senate President and those at helm of his affairs were not aware of his coming, or allowed to visit him. In order words Yar’adua was brought home under suspicious circumstances and other Nigerians and religious bodies were silent just to allow peace prevail in the country.

    Though I am not from Taraba, my sincere advice to the so-called youths is to stop bringing religious sentiments into Taraba State politics so that the sleeping dog will lie. they should also not take the tiger by the tail.

    • Oboyi Simon

    Abbattoir Road, Jos.

  • There we go again

    Shortly before Taraba State Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai returned to the country on Sunday after a 10 – month sojourn abroad, this paper had an encounter with him. It was a lucky meeting between him and our reporter, Joke Kujenya, at the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home on Staten Island, New York, United States. They saw eye – to – eye but could not talk to each other because Joke was there ‘unofficially’, that was how they put it, and so could not walk up to the governor for a chat.

    Despite that, the description of what she saw last Saturday following her chance encounter with the governor before he was brought home painted enough picture of his state of health. Her report, which was published on page three of The Nation on Sunday, reads in part : ‘’While waiting, I did a quick look – around. And there, he was. I got locked in eye contact with the man himself, Governor Danbaba Suntai! He sat on a wheelchair in Room 503 beside his bed laid in white with three pillows well set aside each one.

    ‘’The name tag on his room read : Dan Fulani. He wore a red T-shirt on an off – white pair of trousers. He also wore a grey coloured sneaker to complete the outfit…But, he did not utter a word to the reporter neither did he move his body. He only raised his head on the same spot. On impulse, he looked up and saw the reporter. Then he locked his eyes on the reporter squeezing his face probably for a recollection. This lasted for over 10 minutes…After a while, he looked away and bowed his head’’

    The foregoing shows that no matter what some people may be saying, Suntai still needs care and serious care at that. We thank God that he is getting better, but he should be allowed to fully recover before being rushed home over unnecessary fears that he may be impeached as governor to pave the way for his deputy, Garba Umar, to step in as the countdown to the 2015 elections begins. That he survived a plane crash is enough reason for him and his family to thank God. The cases of many others were not as serious as his and yet they died. I believe that God preserved Suntai’s life because he still needs him, but it may not be in the capacity of a governor. This is the bitter truth his loyalists don’t want to hear. Unfortunately, his wife is on their side.

    Suntai should let the will of God prevail in his life instead of allowing people, who don’t mean well for him to push him around for their own political interest. This is the problem with our politicians. They can play politics with anything, including human life. The signs all point to the fact that Suntai is not in full control of his mental senses. Just a look at him as he was being carried out of the plane that brought him home on Sunday was enough to tell any sane person that the governor still needs to be under close medical watch.

    Why then did his wife , Hajia Hauwa, friends and political associates rush him home in such a critical condition? The answer is simple; they want to manipulate him for their own political gains. I am particularly pained that Suntai’s wife could be a party to the manipulation of her husband. Does she truly love the man? Does she have her family’s interest at heart? It is true that women love power, but a woman must know where to draw the line when the life of her husband is involved. Will Hauwa be happy if something untoward happens to her husband in this bitter contest for power now playing out in Taraba?

    She doesn’t need to travel far to see what happened to people in similar circumstance not too long ago. I am sorry to use the Yar ‘Adua case as an analogy, but I am forced to do so in order to bring home to Mrs Suntai the danger she is playing with in allowing her husband to be used as a pawn on the political chess board of some people. What else does she want after being wife of a governor for six years before the unfortunate plane crash in which her husband sustained the injuries he is nursing? Instead of being thankful to God that she still has her husband to hold on to, she wants to carry her sacrifice beyond the mosque by dabbling into politics.

    I hope she will not end up burning her fingers. Today, Taraba is facing a crisis of leadership because of her husband’s sudden appearance on the scene, despite not being mentally alert to discharge the obligations of his office. What will Suntai lose if if his deputy continues to run the state while he continues to attend to his health? Is being governor more important to him than becoming hale and hearty first? Is it not the person that is alive that can think of holding political office, whether president, governor or whatever?

    At this point, everything lies

    in the hands of Mrs Suntai.

    She can change things by putting a stop to this political shenanigan. What will it profit her if she acquires all the political power in Taraba, but loses her husband? She should not be part of the political statement that her husband is strong, healthy and raring to return to work being mouthed by people like former Information Minister Prof Jerry Gana and one – time publicist of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) John Dara. What should concern her now is the wellbeing of her husband if she wants him to be father of her children till the couple grow old together.

    Unfotunately, Mrs Suntai is becoming too much involved in the political undercurrent of her husband’s illness instead of nursing him back to good health. Though, I was not there, but I believe that the doctors would have told her that ‘’madam, please ensure that your husband takes his drugs regularly and rests well until he returns here for examination’’. Can Suntai have that rest if he returns to work now when we know that the job of a governor demands a lot of rigour no matter how backward that state may be?

    If there is nothing to hide about the health of her husband, Mrs Suntai will not be shielding him from members of the House of Assembly, who have oversight functions over him. Those who say he is fit to return to work or who assisted him in writing to the lawmakers that he was ready to resume should bury their heads in shame. They should remember the damage they did to the country during the Yar ‘Adua saga. They should not make us to travel that road again. Suntai’s life should be more precious to us all than him being a puppet governor.

    Let Ozekhome go

    Every day our country keeps sinking deeper into a morass. People leave their homes without knowing whether they will return safely. We live each day as if it is going to be the last because of the fear of the unknown, When we leave home and return safely, we do thanksgiving. We live in fear in this country today; the fear of Boko Haram, the fear of kidnappers, the fear of ritual killers, the fear of night marauders and the fear of rapists. Of the lot, the fear of kidnappers makes our hair stand on our head because we don’t know where and when they will strike.

    The kidnappers’ latest victim is Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who was kidnapped on the Benin – Auchi road last Friday. Since his abduction, we have not heard from his kidnappers to know what they want. Is it money? Is it that he should drop a case that he is handling? Is it that he should stop his activism? Rather than answer these questions, the kidnappers are keeping us in suspense. If only his kidnappers know Ozek baba, that is how some of us call him, they won’t have snatched him. Unknown to them, they have abducted a man they should have befriended. They may have a reason for their action, but they got the wrong person

    Ozekhome’s place is not the kidnappers’ den. Nobody’s place is the kidnappers’ den any way. So, I appeal to the kidnappers today to let Ozekhome go. They should let him return home to his family unhurt. Ozek baba, I am praying for your safe return.

  • Suntai dissolves cabinet, names new SSG, COS

    Suntai dissolves cabinet, names new SSG, COS

    Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State, Wednesday, dissolved the executive cabinet of the state.

    All Commissioners and Special Advisers were affected. Only the Senior Special Assistants were spared.

    A new Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff were named.

    The changes were announced at a press briefing in government house presided by the SSA on Media and Publicity, Sylvanus Giwa.

     

  • Suntai’s ‘return to work’ sparks crisis in Taraba

    Suntai’s ‘return to work’ sparks crisis in Taraba

    Speaker, Majority Leader clash

    The stage seemed set yesterday for a major crisis in Taraba State.

    House of Assembly Speaker Haruna Tsokwa said Alhaji Garba Umar remains the acting governor, until the House deliberates on Governor Danbaba Suntai’s letter.

    The speaker briefed reporters in his office after the House Majority Leader, Hon. Joseph Albasu, declared that Suntai had taken charge.

    Tsokwa said: “Governor Danbaba Suntai has transmitted a letter to the House, but his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, will continue to act, until this Assembly deliberates on the letter.”

    He said he was unaware of the House Majority Leader’s statement.

    The speaker said Suntai must appear on the floor of the House and speak to lawmakers, or some principal officers of the House must go and talk to him in the Government House.

    Tsokwa said Suntai’s wife, Hajiya Hauwa, blocked some officials from seeing the governor yesterday.

    Tsokwa became the speaker when Istifanus Haruna Gbana, an ally of Suntai, was removed while the governors was still in the hospital. Suntai arrived in Jalingo on Sunday after a 10-month stay in German and American hospitals.

    He was injured when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola, Adamawa State, on October 25, last year.

    On Monday, he transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly, informing lawmakers of his readiness to begin work.

    Albasu told reporters at the Assembly Complex, Jalingo, that the House received the governor’s letter and gave him the go-ahead to take charge, having fulfilled the provision of the Constitution.

    Albasu is representing Lau Constituency. Tsokwa was not present, but Albasu said he was speaking for all the House members. With him were: Hon. Charles Maijankai (Karim-Lamido Constituency), Ishaya Gani (Wukari) and another member.

    The lawmakers proclaimed Suntai as physically and mentally fit to govern.

    But a section of the House is alleging that the signature on the governor’s letter is not Suntai’s.

    The members,who are believed to be pro-Umar also said they were stopped from seeing Suntai – “an indication that he is not fit”.

    But Albasu refuted the allegation, citing mischief.

    “We saw Governor Suntai in New York and now that he has returned, and judging from the conversation we had with him, the governor is sound to resume work,” Albasu said.

    Displaying the letter, the Majority Leader said the House had verified that the signature is Suntai’s. Whoever that is denying is only bringing confusion.

    “The governor could have thump printed the letter, if he wished, provided forensic test shows he is the one.”

    The Majority Leader said: “Pharm. Danbaba Suntai, who is the Executive Governor of Taraba State, has transmitted a letter to this very House, indicating his intention to resume work and take over the functions of the state as the executive governor.

    “The letter was caused and addressed to the Taraba State House of Assembly, and I, as the Majority Leader, being the Chairman of the business of this Assembly, received the letter.

    “The Clerk of the House acknowledged the letter and handed over to the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Haruna Tsokwa.

    “Governor Suntai has complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Section 190(2).”

    The other group wants Suntai to appear before the House.

    But the House majority leader yesterday maintained that the Constitution does not compel a governor to appear before the House on the matter in contention.

    “The governor can even transmit a letter in soft copy via e-mail to the House. But Suntai went a step further to transmit a letter to us in hard copy; so, what are those mischief makers talking about?

    He said it was even against the Constitution for the House to hold plenary on the matter.

    “This issue is not a debative matter anywhere in the worid. Governor Suntai has done exactly what the Constitution requires him to do,” Albasu said.

  • Suntai writes House: I’m ready to begin work

    Suntai writes House: I’m ready to begin work

    It was an emotional scene. Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako was all tears yesterday as he visited Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai at the Government House, Jalingo.

    It was tears of joy, he told The Nation.

    Suntai spent 10 months in Germany and United States, treating the injuries he sustained when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola, Adamawa State on October 25, last year. He wrote to the House yesterday, saying he was set to resume work.

    Nyako, the first caller since Suntai’s return on Sunday from the Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home, New York, United States, spent over an hour with his counterpart in his inner sitting room. The duo sat on one chair.

    Suntai was wearing an ash-colour suit with a blue-black shirt. Nyako was clad in a white agbada and a black cap.

    He prayed for Suntai to recover fully.

    As Nyako prayed, Suntai bowed his head, responding–in a low voice: “Amen, amen”.

    Prayers over, Suntai clapped his hands and smiled.

    When Nyako shook Suntai’s hand, telling him he was about to leave, the tears began to drop.

    The Taraba governor looked smarter yesterday. He also walked without assistance – unlike when he arrived in Abuja on Sunday, aided to walk from the plane onto the tarmac.

    He wore a stress-free face and was more relaxed. He did not wince, as he did on Sunday.

    Speaking with the wife of the Taraba Governor, Hajiya Hauwa Suntai, in the main sitting room, Nyako described him as his brother and not only a colleague.

    “What affects him affects me too. I pray he recovers speedily so that he can continue with the work, where he stopped,” he said.

    Suntai’s wife expressed appreciation for Nyako’s show of love.

    She recalled that the Adamawa governor conveyed Suntai to the Yola Hospital and to Abuja the following day before he was flown abroad for treatment when the accident occured.

    Addressing reporters, Nyako said: “You saw me sheding tears of joy”.

    “I am very happy; I can now go back to my state (Adamawa) and tell my people.

    “I wish him (Suntai) a very quick recovery. Governor Suntai and I have a lot of struggles and grounds to cover”; when he recovers, we shall ensure that justice prevails and democracy is being developed in our dear states.”

    Nyako recalled when Taraba and Adamawa were carved out of the defunct Gongola State in 1991, stressing that Taraba and Adamawa are one.

    The Adamawa governor left the Government House, Jalingo at 12:00p.m.

    Acting governor of Taraba State Garba Umar yesterday said he was happy over his boss’s return.

    He briefed reporters in his office in Jalingo.

    Umar appreciated the turnout and urged Taraba people to “sustain the unity and cooperation”.

    “I am very happy for the successful homecoming of my boss, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Danbaba Suntai.

    “I appreciate the unity, cooperation and the way everyone turned out. I want to urge Taraba people to sustain this unity and cooperation.

    The House of Assembly may hold a plenary on Suntai’s homecoming today, it was learnt.

    Suntai has communicated the House in writing about his return.

    The Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, held a meeting with the acting governor in the latter’s office yesterday evening.

    The speaker declined to speak to reporters after the meeting.

     

  • The Nation Reporter visits Suntai in hospital

    The Nation Reporter visits Suntai in hospital

    ON the morning of Thursday, August 23, I read online in some Nigerian dailies that ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State, would be discharged from Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home located in New York, United States of America (USA), and flown back to the country.

    Out of curiosity, the reporter in me searched for the hospital on Google Search engine.

    Promptly, the result showed that Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre & Home is located on 460 Brielle Ave, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, United States.

    Staten Island? I asked myself. With me in Staten Island, then it’s time to pay Gov. Suntai a familial visit since we are both from Nigeria.

    After consulting the internet for directions and getting appointment fixed by telephone, I set out on Friday to meet with ‘His Excellency’ at the hospital.

    There, the receptionist, a relatively aged woman, politely pointed my attention to two Nigerian men seen leaving the hospital and about to enter a black sleek SUV, she said that the visiting time was over. Then, the guard, as he scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to the reporter, added, “Well, you can come back tomorrow and go directly to the fifth floor 5-East Wing.” With a thank you, the reporter left.

    On Saturday morning, I left the residence where I was on vacation as early as 6.55 am to join Bus 40 heading for the St. George Ferry Station by 7am. From the ferry harbour, I joined Bus 61 up to Manor Avenue where I was to transfer to Bus 54 for the onward trip to Brielle Avenue location of Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre & Home.

    Face to face with Suntai

    At the hospital, on telling the receptionist that I was there to pay solidarity visit to “Mr. Danbaba Suntai”, I was given a red visitor’s tag that bore the date: Aug 24, 2013 above the inscription ‘Date’. With that empowerment, I located the elevator and pressed the ‘5’ button.

    On the 5th Floor, visitors are welcome to the Elizabeth E. Conelly Rehabilitation Gymnasium with a hanging direction slab pointing visitor’s in two directions namely: “Sycamore Lane 5East and Sycamore Hill 5West”.

    I made for the East which is to the left hand side of the hall. As demanded, I had to stop by the Medical Desk to ask for the Gov’s Room no. But the lady I met, wearing the name tag bearing Dorothy Mointosh-Waddy, Head Nurse, was busy explaining usage of the dispensed drug for Gov. Danbaba Suntai.

    While waiting, I did a quick look-around. And there, he was. I got locked in eye contact with the man himself, Gov. Danbaba Suntai!

    He sat on a wheelchair in Room 503 beside his bed laid in white with three pillows well set aside each one. The name tag on his room read: Dan Fulani. He wore a red T-shirt on an off-white pair of trouser. He also wore a grey coloured sneaker to complete the outfit. On the table beside his bed was a bouquet of white flowers laced with colour pink on the edges with a bold inscription that read: “We love you”. But he did not utter a word to the reporter neither did he move his body. He only raised and lowered his head on the same spot.

    On impulse, he looked up and saw the reporter. Then he locked his eyes on the reporter squeezing his face probably for a recollection. This lasted for over ten minutes judging by the clock on the wall. After a while, he looked away and bowed his head.

    The medications

    A few minutes later, I concentrated on some of the medications being prescribed for the man. A few of those read out: amoxil 4mls 2xdaily, there is another drug he is to take at 9am daily; there is another one he is to take every six hours, a liquid medication in a white container with a few measuring cups and several others all packed in a big brown envelope with instruction that everything must be dutifully taken till August 28th when there would be need for him to change to ‘his’ earlier medication, according to Head Nurse Mointosh-Waddy.

    As soon as there was a brief pause between the man carefully packing the medication into the bags and the head nurse, I asked him if he was a Nigerian. With a big smile, he responded positively and then asked if the reporter too is from Nigeria, he got a yes.

    Then, the reporter told him that she had come to see Gov Suntai. Politely, he said he was not the one in charge of his visitors that his is to see to the governor’s welfare alone. So, he brought out his phone and called the security aide to the governor.

    When the man, who introduced himself as Joseph, got to the reporter, she explained her mission and pleaded for understanding. The first thing he asked was: “Did you tell them downstairs that you are a reporter”. The reporter said no, and then added, “why?”

    “I am surprised you could be allowed up here,” Joseph said with surprise written all over his face.

    “And why is that,” the reporter insisted.

    “Because a male reporter came here from Manhattan yesterday, and he was roughly sent out,” he informed.

    At that point, I mellowed and said “Okay, Joe, I am here now, I need to speak with the governor, let us know the whole story, what actually happened and several others.”

    Joseph said: “I am sorry I am not in the position to permit such. You will have to go to his brother in Manhattan who is the only one that approves his visitors.”

    Sea View Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre is located on a vast expanse of land covered with green lush grass. The structure itself is located at the extreme end of the compound.

    The reporter then asked for the said brother’s number, but Joseph still declines saying he is not to give that to just anyone. At that point, the reporter asked for Joseph’s numbers. And he gave his USA cell number as well as his Nigeria’s number.

    I then asked Joseph if I could talk to the governor while they are taking him out of the hospital in his car on the way home. Joseph blurted, “How can you assume he is going out of here today? Who told you that?”

    I replied: “It was in the newspapers that his wife said he would be discharged and taken to Nigeria today (yesterday) which is why I came so I can talk with him to get some facts.”

    “Is that what you read, okay o. The people that will come and carry him are still back in Nigeria so I don’t know what you mean by he is leaving here today. Na you sabi sha…”

    Suddenly, Joseph switched to the security mood and told the reporter sternly that she has to take her leave and all the pleasantries petered out. Not even the reporter’s pleading smiles would soothe him.

    He walked the reporter straight to the elevator and told her to please leave. Surprisingly, one of the guards on the ground floor, who apparently may have been watching the reporter and the security man, or perhaps, heard the conversations, just came out of the elevator and asked Joseph: “Man, it’s like you don’t want this woman here?”

    Trust Joseph, he just said “Yes, I want her to leave now.”

    So, the guard faced the reporter and asked: “And Ma’am, why did you jump protocol?”

    I responded: “I did not jump protocol because I did not know there was any. Joseph and I just met for the first time in our lives. I collected his two phone numbers barely five minutes ago and he just gave me guidelines on how to see a man who is a public figure, a governor in my own country.”

    The guard looked at Joseph wanting him to either validate or refute my explanation. Joseph did the former and the guard said: “Ma’am, I agree with the fact that you did not know that you have to get clearance before you come here. Now that you are here, I would please like you to take your leave now.”

    As the reporter walked away, the guard gave her such a close marking we almost bumped into each other.

    Then on the Ground Floor, he still walked the reporter to the outer door and firmly cautioned her to please move far away from the hospital building.

    I walked away satisfied that I’d been able to see the governor, although not able to talk with him.

  • Taraba set for Governor Suntai’s return tomorrow

    Taraba set for Governor Suntai’s return tomorrow

    The people of Taraba state are set to receive their long-absent governor, Captain Danbaba Danfulani Suntai tomorrow.

    The governor’s wife, Hajiya Hauwa Suntai, yesterday arrived Jalingo, the state capital, in preparation for the reception.

    Hauwa, who has been in New York, United States with her ailing husband, led an advance team to coordinate the womenfolk in the state in anticipation of the governor’s return.

    Suntai survived a crash in a plane he piloted near Yola, Adamawa State, on October 25 last year.

    The governor, who was seriously injured, was taken to German and United States hospitals for treatment. He spent 10 months abroad, during which his foes tried in vain to remove him.

    His deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, who has been holding the fort, said he wants to make his boss’ reception “very special.”

    In the state, there is no issue considered bigger than Suntai’s return tomorrow. In Jalingo, the issue topped every discussion where two or more people were gathered yesterday.

    “The state is in the mood for a big celebration,” Commissioner for Information Emmanuel Bello, told The Nation yesterday.

    Suntai was on board the ill-fated Cessna 208 aircraft with his Aide de Camp (ADC), Iliya Dasat, Chief Detail Joel Danladi and Chief Security Officer (CSO) Tino Dangana.

    All the security aides have since recovered and returned to the country. They are all anxious to see their boss tomorrow.

    “The occupants of the ill-fated plane were recipients of God’s mercies,” the ADC had said.

    “God miraculously saved us,” he added while narrating his ordeal upon his return.

    Suntai’s return has been long awaited.

    The governor, during his conversation with The Nation correspondent in March, his first and only direct communication with any journalist since his involvement in the plane crash, said he was grateful to God.

    “I am grateful to God that I survived. Also, I thank God for the recovery,” he said. The governor added that he was coming back with happiness.

    A member of the Taraba State House of Assembly and a friend to the Suntai family, Hon. Mark Useni, who visited Suntai in New York, told The Nation that the governor was tired of the environment there and had been eager to return home. “His return was only being delayed on the advice of his doctors,” he said.

    Suntai is expected to leave the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home in New York tomorrow for Abuja, where he will meet President Goodluck Jonathan; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and other stakeholders from Taraba who are resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He would then be flown from Abuja straight to the Government House in Jalingo.

    Some Nigerians in New York, according to Mrs Suntai, will accompany the governor.