14th September, 2014
Nothing really may have changed in the health condition of ailing Taraba state governor, brain damaged from an aircraft crash since October 2012.
Watch the video: http://youtu.be/JaY2VOy6fOc
This is judging by the hide and seek game played Saturday night by the political cabal that received the governor in Abuja on his arrival from the United Kingdom, his latest effort to seek medical attention outside Nigeria.
Reports said a ‘cabal’, packaging the return of the governor to office, for which he has been incapacitated to occupy since 2012, played a fast one on friends, well-wishers, the acting governor, Umar Garba and the media who were waiting for his arrival at domestic wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Instead, the chartered plane landed at the International section, with the cabal, led by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, reportedly whisking him away, leaving a reception party led by acting governor, Umaru Garba, perplexed and confused.
A bewildered press crew and the acting governor drove frantically in a convoy out of the airport towards Abuja city centre as soon as information reached them the ailing governor had been smuggled out of the airport.
Mr. Suntai was later driven to the guest house owned by billionaire Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma in Asokoro area of Abuja where he was allowed to have a brief chat with reporters.
According to NAN, Suntai was quoted to have said: “I just arrived in Nigeria after my treatment abroad at Whalton Hospital in London.
“I thank God l’m getting better, l am happy to be back home and you all are here to receive me. Thank you all for your prayers and support.’’
But a video clip showed that Suntai was as incoherent as before, as he said “He was coming from Abuja’. From the clip, he was not even allowed to make further comments after the embarrassing gaffe.
Once again, a PR stunt by Suntai’s handlers has turned awry. Just like it was last year.
He was received by Mr Darius Ishaku, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Rev. Jolly Nyame, a former Taraba governor, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, among others.
Ishaku told newsmen that the governor was in good health, adding that he could now take over the responsibility of governing the state.
“Taraba state will heave a sigh of relief following the coming of the governor.
“I am excited, he just addressed us and expressed his joy to be back home; l will like to add that his health is a miracle,’’ Ishaku said.
Also, Nyame said that Suntai’s mental alertness indicated that he was capable of taking over the affairs of the state.
“It is obvious that the governor can recognise everyone here which shows that he is mentally alert and lucid.
“He just addressed the press, but the last time he didn’t, which shows that he can take over as the governor,’’ Nyame said.
Suntai had piloted a plane in october 2012 which crashed in Yola. He was critically injured and brain damaged.
He was transferred from a hospital in Yola to the National Hospital, Abuja, on Oct. 26, 2012, and later flown to Germany and U.S for treatment.
He later returned to the country on Aug. 23, 2013 after 10 months of medical treatment overseas.
After some controversies on the status of his health, he was later flown to London for further medical treatment.