It was gathered that while he remained on his medical sojourn in the United States, the Taraba State government and close associates of the former governor have abandoned him to his fate even as his health deteriorates

Suntai had always had a date with history. Providence beckoned on him when he became governor of Taraba state in 2007 even without aspiring for the coveted office. He was sworn in on May 29, 2011 for a second term upon winning the governorship election for the year. Though a pharmacist by training, Suntai enrolled for training as a pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation in Zaria in 2010 and was thus licensed, albeit under controversial circumstances, as a qualified pilot.

Prior to his plane crash in 2012, Suntai had been flown to Germany for medication after returning from his annual leave in August 2009, following a sudden ailment that was suspected to have developed from food poisoning.

Upon returning from Germany, Suntai confirmed that his illness was actually as a result of food poisoning. He spoke at the opening ceremony of a three-day regional convention of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International in Jalingo, the family.

Coordinator of the Taraba Peoples’ Assembly, Martins Andekin had, in an article titled, ‘Let’s pray for Governor Danbaba Suntai,’ lamented that those who rode on the former governor’s back to get political offices in the state had abandoned him as his health deteriorates daily.

The article reads in part: “While Governor Danbaba was battling for his life in a German hospital, the group, now widely known as the cabal, spread all forms of lies, falsehoods and propaganda to mislead and hoodwink ordinary people to believe that indeed, Danbaba had miraculously recovered and would return in a matter of days.

“Twice, the cabal abducted Governor Danbaba Suntai from his sick bed in America and Great Britain, claiming that he had recovered. The two incidents ended in total disaster and disgrace for the organizers.

“As soon as Sani Abubakar Danladi was installed, Danbaba Suntai was completely abandoned by these so-called associates and some members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who claimed to be fighting for him...”

A former commissioner for information in Taraba State, recently appointed senior special assistant on public affairs to Governor Ishaku, Emmanuel Bello, insisted that Suntai had not been abandoned.

Bello, who confirmed that Suntai is currently in Orlando, USA, said he is still recuperating while undergoing physiotherapy.

“He recently had a public function when he gave out his daughter at a small wedding event in the state. He is undergoing a lot of physiotherapy and is doing well. He is surrounded by family and friends,” Bello said.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Taraba State Governor, Sylvanus Giwa, also confirmed that Suntai is currently living in Orlando, USA.

Giwa said Suntai was living at a private residence in Orlando, where a team of doctors come to attend to him occasionally. “His wife, children and family members are there, and he is getting stable everyday,” Giwa said.

Giwa also denied allegations of abandonment, insisting that the state government is still footing Suntai’s medical bills.

Babangida Suntai, younger brother to the ailing former governor, is embittered over the current state of his brother. Asked to comment on Suntai’s current health status, Babangida fumed: “Was it not you people (referring to the media) that were busy claiming that all was well with him; what else do you want to hear from me?’’

With that, Babangida ended the call after telling this reporter never to contact him over Sunta’s ill health again.

The pertinent question is: How long will Suntai remain in Orlando, USA to undergo his physiotherapy, and when will he return back to Nigeria?

Emmanuel Bello and his counterpart on media and publicity, Sylvanus Giwa, said they could not provide an answer to this question.