There
are strong indications that families and associates of ailing governor of
Taraba State, Danbab Suntai, may have barred media coverage of his arrival at
the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
are strong indications that families and associates of ailing governor of
Taraba State, Danbab Suntai, may have barred media coverage of his arrival at
the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reports indicated that the governor, who will arrive through the
presidential wing of the airport, will board another chartered flight after
arriving directly from the United States.
presidential wing of the airport, will board another chartered flight after
arriving directly from the United States.
Checks from his associates revealed that the plan to stop the
media from covering today’s event was due to fear that they might grill the man
whose health is still a subject of controversy within his state.
media from covering today’s event was due to fear that they might grill the man
whose health is still a subject of controversy within his state.
“We are told the media won’t have access to him when he arrives
at the airport in Abuja. His associates are afraid the media will put the man
on the spot and probably expose facts that the man is still recovering,” a
source close to the associates said.
at the airport in Abuja. His associates are afraid the media will put the man
on the spot and probably expose facts that the man is still recovering,” a
source close to the associates said.
Further investigations revealed that Governor Suntai would be
taken into the presidential lounge briefly and then, out, without allowing any
contact with the media, except very close associates who would have already
been in Abuja to welcome him.
taken into the presidential lounge briefly and then, out, without allowing any
contact with the media, except very close associates who would have already
been in Abuja to welcome him.
The source noted that “in reality, journalists were not invited
to cover the arrival. What you will have is friends with video recorders who
will then be authorised to release same to the media after the man must have
reached Jalingo.”
to cover the arrival. What you will have is friends with video recorders who
will then be authorised to release same to the media after the man must have
reached Jalingo.”
Meanwhile, the Taraba Justice Forum which has spearheaded the
struggle against the long absence of the governor has warned his associates
against foisting another ‘Yar’Adua arrangement’ on the state “in their bid to
protect selfish interest.”
struggle against the long absence of the governor has warned his associates
against foisting another ‘Yar’Adua arrangement’ on the state “in their bid to
protect selfish interest.”
Rising from its executive meeting in Abuja, the group, in a
communique, expressed surprise at the “desperation of those bringing the ailing
governor into the country,” warning that “there is an agenda to set the state
ablaze.
communique, expressed surprise at the “desperation of those bringing the ailing
governor into the country,” warning that “there is an agenda to set the state
ablaze.
“Because somebody wants to be governor in 2015; because somebody
wants to rule the state at all costs, he, as the head of the cabal, has forced
the wife to consent to bring an ailing man back into the state. We are watching
keenly and we know the whole world is also watching.”
wants to rule the state at all costs, he, as the head of the cabal, has forced
the wife to consent to bring an ailing man back into the state. We are watching
keenly and we know the whole world is also watching.”
The forum wondered why people cannot learn from history,
especially as the nation experienced such pains and anguish during the Yar’Adua
saga, warning that “we will not allow any group to hoodwink us.”
especially as the nation experienced such pains and anguish during the Yar’Adua
saga, warning that “we will not allow any group to hoodwink us.”
The group insisted on six-point demand including that the
governor publicly addresses the state, live on radio and television, within 24
hours of his arrival in Jalingo, the state capital; and that he also
proceeds to address the State House of Assembly, among others.
governor publicly addresses the state, live on radio and television, within 24
hours of his arrival in Jalingo, the state capital; and that he also
proceeds to address the State House of Assembly, among others.
The group warned that ongoing attempt to foist “a governor in
the dark room” on the people of Taraba State will be resisted and the refusal
to do the above will be resisted legally and constitutionally.”
the dark room” on the people of Taraba State will be resisted and the refusal
to do the above will be resisted legally and constitutionally.”
Source: Tribune
