 |
| Suntai |
A BATTLE-line between the Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Darius Dickson
Ishaku and his Adamawa State counterpart, Jibrila Bindow, appears to
have been drawn following the controversies presently surrounding the
up-keep of the former governor of Taraba State, Danbaba D. Suntai, who
is still recuperating from the injuries he sustained from the October
2012 plane crash.
Rumours making the rounds in both states say that the state (Taraba)
government has abandoned Suntai whom many claimed is presently suffering
from stroke, the situation which The Guardian learnt, made Bindow of Adamawa State to take over the responsibilities of Suntai.
Several online messages, which expressed dismay at the lukewarm
attitudes of the Taraba State government, also went extra miles to
indict loyalists of Suntai who fought tooth and nail to discourage the
confirmation of the former sacked Acting Governor, Garba Umar, as the
substantive governor during the last political dispensation.
Reacting to the rumours, some of which were credited to Bindow and
Umar, the Taraba State governor, felt sad that Bindow who has benefited
from the said ailing governor, has decided to “cheapen” himself by
spreading rumours that are capable of stirring dust in Taraba State.
 |
| Gov. Ishaku |
But Governor Darius, who spoke through his Senior Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Sylvanus Y. Giwa, denied ever abandoning Suntai,
stating: “I have not abandoned Suntai and I will never abandon him.”
Wondering why Bindow and his people have “cheapened” themselves to
the extent of believing that Governor Ishaku has abandoned his
predecessor, Giwa said none of Suntai’s family has come forth to
complain about the present situation of the former governor to the state
government.
Giwa, who was visibly dejected by the rumours, which have continued
to spread like Harmattan fire, said: “Let it be clear that no one
approached Governor Darius Ishaku on Suntai’s bill.”
The Adamawa State governor, according to him, “has peddled unfounded
stories but we are aware of his connivance with Senator Aisha Alhassan
to discredit Ishaku and among others hijack the process of the election
tribunal.
“We know that he is resurfacing now because of Aisha’s bid to become governor even when the people’s votes have spoken.
“We will advise Governor Bindow and Atiku to concentrate on solving
the unquantifiable problems in Adamawa State, including debts, rather
than meddling in the affairs of Taraba State. By the way, he has been a
beneficiary of several largesse of Suntai as can be seen in the
co-sponsorship of his senatorial bid.”
The Guardian learnt that the rumour which is at the verge of causing
disunity between the two governors and their teeming supporters was the
handiwork of one of the desperate family members of Suntai, who is
seeking financial assistance to solve his personal problems.
The family member was said to have claimed that Suntai had been
struck down by stroke and that the Taraba State government under the
leadership of Governor Ishaku has turned back on Suntai. And touched by
the story, Bindow was said to have accepted to fly Suntai abroad for
medical check-up and also give out some reasonable amount of money to
the family.
Also speaking on the issue, former Commissioner for Information,
Culture and Tourism, Emmanuel Bello, said: “A news item making the
rounds in the social media has it that the current government in Jalingo
has foresaken former Governor Danbaba Suntai, leaving him to rot away
in a desolate place. The news has it also that Suntai even suffered
stroke recently with no one around to help him out.
“It said Governor Bindow of Adamawa State had to foot the governor’s
bill by flying him out. That is a flat lie because His Excellency,
former Governor Suntai, is in Jalingo and has not skipped the town for
months now. He didn’t have to do that because his health is not
worsening. In fact, it is getting better with Suntai becoming stronger
even.
“The picture the contentious story and its sponsors tried to paint
unsuccessfully is that of a former governor being left by all and
allowed to suffer the crisis of loneliness and neglect.”
Bello stressed: “We also have to inform all and sundry that Governor
Darius has continued to foot the medical bills of Suntai. The former
governor’s condition has in fact improved tremendously and he is
surrounded by many friends and family members. Darius also ensures he
pays him periodic visits alongside other state officials.”
One of the maid-servants to Suntai stated that the former governor
has no stroke, saying: “As I am talking with you now, he is in his
parlour attending to some visitors.
“Such bad news that people are spreading will always go back to senders. He is strong and will continue to grow stronger daily.”
Meanwhile, a close associate of Governor Bindow, who claimed
anonymity, said: “As we are talking now, Bindow is not pleased with what
he is hearing, especially from some top government functionaries from
Taraba State.
“I hope you know that I am not his spokesman. I am doing this because
of my personal relationship with you. No single official of Taraba
State government has deemed it fit to contact Bindow on the rumours they
are hearing.”
He said that rather than reaching out to the Adamawa State
government, Taraba government is busy smearing the name of our governor
and the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on the pages of
newspapers.
- The Guardian
Social Media
just click
Comments
Post a Comment