I’ll Never Leave Suntai To Suffer – Gov. Ishaku

Danbaba SuntaiGovernor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku on Monday, said he will not abandon his predecessor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, who has been recuperating from the multiple injuries he sustained in a 2012 plane crash in Yola, Adamawa State.

The governor’s position was contained in a press statement signed by former Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Emmanuel Bello.

The social media last week was awash with news that Ishaku had abandoned Suntai to his fate, “leaving him to rot away in a desolate place”.

According to the said reports, Suntai’s condition deteriorated after the present administration said it would no longer be footing his medical bills due to paucity of funds. Subsequently, the report said Governor Jibrilla Bindow of neighbouring Adamawa State had to pick Suntai’s bill by flying him out of the country.

Ishaku dismissed the story as nothing but a mischief.

“That is a flat lie, because Suntai is in Jalingo and has not skipped town for months now. And he doesn’t have to, because his health is not bad. In fact, Suntai is stronger now”, he said.

The report portrayed Suntai as someone who has been abandoned and left to suffer by people who rode on his back to power.

The report also heaped insults on Ishaku and a “cabal”, who reportedly sponsored Ishaku’s election.

The statement by the governor reads: “First, Governor Ishaku has not deserted Suntai. He has continued to pledge his loyalty to the ideals and legacy of the Suntai years.

“Even in his inaugural speech, Ishaku recommitted himself to all the five points agenda of the Suntai era which basically were good governance, democracy and propriety in public life. He went on to pay a glowing tribute to the Suntai years as the foundation of the making of a modern Taraba.

“Again, the funny news had said Suntai was not at the inauguration which they say is an evidence of their comic accusation. But we make haste to say that it is really a non-issue because the inauguration was a symbolic affair. But even then, Governor Ishaku ensured that the essence of Suntai was felt at the well-attended event. In any case, the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, who is one and the same thing with Suntai did the handing over ceremony. Where is the abandonment there?

“We want to inform all and sundry that governor Ishaku is footing the medical bills of Suntai. The former governor’s condition has improved tremendously and he is surrounded by many friends and family members.

“Therefore, Suntai is too big to be deserted by anyone. A man who has left sterling accomplishments in the Taraba firmament is not your day to day politician who can be forgotten so soon.

“Suntai continues to be the darling of all and sundry both in Taraba and elsewhere. His dreams, struggles and exemplary lifestyle have remained the template for which many would continue to take their bearings from”.