Ailing Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai arrived Abuja from the US today around 1:00 PM Nigerian time, SR reports.
Mr. Suntai who had to be assisted out of a charted Gulf-stream jet that brought him from the US had to be assisted to leave the aircraft by three persons before he was driven in a Land Cruiser SUV to the VIP section of the airport.
He was received at the airport by Peoples Democratic Party elders led by Prof. Jerry Gana. (SR).
He was immediately flown to Jalingo, Taraba state and landed at the Jalingo Airport at about 3:40p.m. He was conveyed in a chattered white airplane marked 5N-12Y, the Nation reports.
Before then two advanced planes (also white coloured), marked N224BA and 5NBMR first landed at the state’s airport at 2:58pm and 3:37pm respectively.
Security was very tight.
As the plane conveying the governor landed, his wife, Hajiya Suntai first entered the plane apparently to greet her husband.
Suntai’s deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, who has been holding the fort also went in to the plane and greeted his boss. He came out.
Suntai then alighted from the plane –assisted by his wife into a red Range Rover –Sports HSC. The car had no registration number.
Suntai waved at the people briefly. His body looked healthy but weak and tired.
The governor was clad in a navy black suit with a blue strip shirt, without a tie on.
He did not speak to the crowd or the spoke to journalists there. But reporters were allowed to cover him even at close range amid the tight security.
His natural fair skin complexion was radiant –unlike when he was pictured some months ago in the German hospital.
The governor was conveyed in the red Range Rover –Sports HSC straight to the Government House, Jalingo.
In the vehicle, he sat with his wife at the back row, him in the honour (right) seat.
The glasses were wind down and he waved –with his hand inside the car, at the mammoth crowd along the road. People who saw him were shouting “ya dawo”, meaning he has come.
Others said “shi ne”, meaning he is the one.
Others did not catch a glimpse of him due to the tight security presence and huge crowd.
Security personnel were seen escorting the governor’s car on foot.
Truckloads of security men –police and the army were in front and behind of the governor’s car, to lead and guard.
The deputy governor’s car and a few other vehicles followed.
From the airport, they drove Suntai through the Road Block, enroute Hammaruwa Way via Barde Way into the Government House.
By virtue of his return yesterday, Umar ceases to operate in the capacity of acting governor.
It also means Suntai has reclaimed his seat.
Suntai’s return into the Government House, Jalingo yesterday also put to rest the succession saga that has been heating up Taraba in the last 10 months. (The Nation)
