DRAMA AS SUNTAI RETURNS . Governor silent, helped to alight from plane . No date for resumption of duty – Aides Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai who returned from a foreign medical trip yesterday will take charge as governor but it is not clear when that will happen, aides and associates told Daily Trust. Suntai arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja shortly after 1pm aboard a chartered flight from the United States, following a 10-month absence to treat injuries he sustained in a plane crash on October 25 last year. His arrival was full of drama—from the way he emerged from the aircraft aided by associates, his failure to speak to the public, and the manner in which his deputy and Taraba acting governor Garba Umar was blocked from receiving him in Jalingo. Speaking to Daily Trust in Jalingo soon after the governor was received at the state capital, spokesman Sylvanus Giwa said he could not tell specifically when the governor would resume as he just returned from a very long trip and would require some time to rest. Earlier in the day, there was some sense of disappointment for associates at the airports in Abuja and Jalingo, when Suntai had to be aided to alight from the aircraft, underscoring reports that he has not fully recovered from his injuries. At the Abuja airport, the governor emerged from the aircraft wearing a grey suit, with an aide holding him by the waist, apparently to help him down the stairs. He waved to the people who turned up to welcome him before he began descending the staircase. As he moved, however, Suntai wobbled and had to get more support for the rest of his walk down from the plane. He was received by former information minister Prof Jerry Gana, minister of state for Niger Delta Arch. Darius Ishaku, former water resources minister Obadiah Ando and other well-wishers. Suntai was then ferried by an SUV to the VIP lounge of the airport before proceeding to Jalingo by a smaller plane nearly two hours later. A large number of people turned out at the airport and waited for hours to witness the governor’s arrival, which was initially scheduled for 10am. But only a few associates were allowed into the VIP lounge by officials and security men. As the governor awaited his movement to Jalingo, some selected photo journalists were permitted to enter the lounge to take pictures. He was seen seated on a settee, sandwiched by Gana, Ishaku and Ando. Suntai did not speak to journalists but some of his associates said he was “mentally alert” and fit to recognise people by names. Gana, who spoke to reporters, said Suntai was fit enough to resume work as governor. “He will be able to do his work effectively,” he said. Another associate, Mr. John Dara, told journalists, “We were thrilled by the fact that he recognised everyone by name which shows that he is mentally alert and lucid. That itself is a clear indication that he is capable of running the affairs of Taraba as the governor. “We had no doubt in our minds that when he gets back to Jalingo today, it will be up to his doctor to say whether he will resume today or in a couple of days to come. But he is clearly okay and able to function.” In Suntai’s absence, the State House of Assembly had empowered his deputy Garba Umar to serve as acting governor, in line with constitutional provisions. Based on section 190 (2) of the constitution, the governor would have to send a letter to the House of Assembly to officially notify lawmakers of his return before he could resume as governor. Another Suntai associate Rima Shawulu, who was also at the airport in Abuja yesterday, said the decision to take over the ruling of the state lied with the governor in line with provisions of the constitution. “There are provisions in the constitution for you to take over or not to. And if he gets back to Jalingo today, and he transmits a letter to the state assembly through the speaker that he has arrived, that is all; he can take over as the governor…. And with the way I saw him, he is all right,” Shawulu said. There was heavy security in Jalingo as Suntai arrived at about 3.45pm aboard a Donier aircraft with registration number 5N IZY in company of family members and friends. On arrival, he was supported by his wife Hauwa and family members to alight from the aircraft. Supporters then formed a human shield around him, and accompanied him to a waiting Range Rover SUV which took him to the Government House. Suntai did not speak to journalists in Jalingo, nor did he address the mammoth crowd who gathered at the airport to receive him, contrary to reports that said he would deliver an address on arrival. Earlier, acting governor Umar, who was at the airport, had gone to exchange pleasantries with some family members of Suntai who arrived on board another Donier aircraft number 5N BMP moments before the governor landed. When the aircraft carrying Suntai arrived at the terminal, our correspondent observed that the acting governor was not among those who went to the plane to receive the governor. Sources told Daily Trust that the acting governor left the airport after it was indicated to him that he was not the person to receive the governor. It was not clear who passed that information to him but a source said the fact that he departed the airport unceremoniously could only mean that he was blocked. An official in the acting governor office who preferred not to be named said Umar was kept in the dark about all preparations leading to Suntai’s return until when the governor’s wife Hauwa made the announcement in New York three days to his return. But Taraba Information commissioner Emmanuel Bello told Daily Trust he was not aware that the acting governor was prevented from receiving the governor. He asked our reporter to direct his enquiries to the family of the governor who handled all arrangements about the governor’s return. But no family member was available for comment as at press time last night. However, there was jubilation in Jalingo town as people poured out into the streets wearing attires bearing Suntai’s picture and goodwill messages. Our correspondent reports that a helicopter hovered around Jalingo town shortly after the arrival of the governor. Suntai crashed in a plane he was piloting near Yola, on October 25, and was first taken to a hospital in the Adamawa State capital. A day after, he was moved to the National Hospital, Abuja, preparatory to his being flown to Germany for further medical treatment on October 27. In March, he was transferred to a hospital in the United States, where he remained until Saturday. Three weeks after Suntai’s departure for Germany, the Taraba State House of Assembly passed a resolution empowering deputy governor Garba Umar to become acting governor, in line with section 190 of the constitution. Section 190 (2), “In the event that the Governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1) of this section within 21 days, the House of Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of the House, mandate the Deputy Governor to perform the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor, until the Governor transmits a letter to the Speaker that he is now available to resume his functions as Governor.” A government source told Daily Trust in Jalingo yesterday a letter would be transmitted to the House of Assembly to notify the legislators of Suntai’s return preparatory to his resumption of duty. If this happens, Umar would revert to his former position of deputy governor.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:16:28 +0000
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