Human and vehicular movement in the Taraba State capital, Jalingo, was disrupted for about two hours, yesterday, following the return of injured Governor Danbaba Suntai to the state.
The aircraft, a Hawker 800, which brought Suntai, who had been away
from the state since October last year, touched down at 3:40pm at the
Jalingo Airport, amidst tight security.
Suntai sat in the plane with his aides and junior brother, Babangida Suntai.
Two other small aircraft, a Dornier, with registration number 224 BA,
ferried members of the governor’s family, while another one marked
5NBMR, conveyed his friends and associates and touched down at 3:45pm.
Deputy Governor
He was received by the Deputy Governor, Garba Umar, who has been
acting since the absence of Suntai, and his wife, Hajia Hauwa Suntai,
who arrived the state with his children last Friday ahead of the
Governor’s return.
As the plane touched down, an excited Hauwa, assisted by the
governor’s security aides, got into the aircraft and came out with
Suntai, while the crowd that had taken over all available space in the
medium airport, hailed.
Supported while disembarking from the aircraft, Suntai walked to his
waiting car, waved to the cheering supporters and was immediately driven
away in a convoy of cars to the Government House, Jalingo.
He did not address the hordes of party chieftains and supporters, who
had gathered, apparently expecting him to speak to them or relive his
experience since the unfortunate incident of October 25, 2012, when his
plane went down, inflicting him with injury that took him to two
countries— Germany and the United States of America— for treatment.
Traffic, crowd control
Security men had a hectic time trying to control the crowd within and
outside the airport, as thousands of Taraba natives flocked out to
welcome the governor to the capital.
Although it appeared that the governor was still in pains and unable
to stand the rigours of addressing the large crowd, he smiled and
motioned to the crowd in acknowledgement.
The expected arrival of the governor had caused serious traffic
snarl, a development that made it impossible for them to be able to
leave the airport, nearly two hours after the governor’s entourage had
left.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Emma Bello, described
the safe return of Suntai as a vindication of the state government’s
position that the governor was hale and hearty and able to perform his functions.
He said: “Today is a good day for Taraba people. The governor has
returned to a tumultuous welcome and we are happy with his arrival in
Jalingo.”
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ahmed Yusuf, thanked God for the
safe arrival of Suntai and expressed happiness that it would lead to
peace and stability in the state.
Cultural and religious groups decked in various attires, sang and danced in solidarity with the governor.
Roll call
Suntai, who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from the United States
at 1pm in a chartered Gulfstream jet, was immediately taken to a VIP
lounge at the airport where he rested for a while before being ferried
by another aircraft to Jalingo later in the day.
At the airport to receive the
governor, who was clad in a French Safari suit, were former Minister of
Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.); former Minister of
Information, Professor Jerry Gana; Minister of State, Niger Delta,
Darius Ishaku; Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator
Emmanuel Bwacha, among others.
Source
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