The governor
looked frail as he arrived and did not speak to journalists.
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba state on Sunday arrived in Abuja after
10 months of medical treatment abroad after being involved in a plane crash on
Oct. 25, 2012.
Mr. Suntai did not talk to the media
but some of his associates, who were at the airport, said he was “mentally
alert” and fit to recognize people by names.
John Dara, a friend of the
governor’s, said that the governor he saw was alert with his memory intact.
“We were excited to see him and it
is understandable that after the long trip, he was weak and tired,” Mr. Dara
said.
“But, we were thrilled by the fact
that he recognized everyone by name which shows that he is mentally alert and
lucid.”
He said the governor’s mental
alertness indicated that he was capable of taking over the affairs of the
state.
“That itself is a clear indication
that he is capable of running the affairs of Taraba as the governor.
“We had no doubt in our minds that
when he gets back to Jalingo today, it will be up to his doctor to say whether
he will resume today or in a couple of days to come.
“But he is clearly okay and able to
function,’’ Mr. Dara said.
He said that his (the governor)
decision not to talk to newsmen might be because of the long journey.
“Talking to newsmen can be
spontaneous and organised. So, we felt that when he has rested well, it will be
easier for him to address Nigerians,’’ Dara said.
Another
close associate of Suntai, Rima Shamulu, said the decision to take over the
ruling of the state lied with him in line with the provisions of the
constitution.
“There are
provisions in the constitution for you to take over or not to.
“And if he
gets back to Jalingo today, and he transmits a letter to the state assembly
through the speaker that he has arrived, that is all; he can take over as the
governor.
“So I don’t
know why there are speculations around because there is constitutional
provision when someone becomes too sick to function; it is not for us to
speculate.
“And with the
way I saw him, he is all right,’’ Mr. Shamulu said.
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