Suntai Wants To Resume Work Immediately As Nyako Came Calling

It was an emotional scene. Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako was all tears yesterday as he visited Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai at the Government House, Jalingo.

It was tears of joy, said.

Suntai spent 10 months in Germany and United States, treating the injuries he sustained when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola, Adamawa State on October 25, last year. He wrote to the House yesterday, saying he was set to resume work.

Nyako, the first caller since Suntai’s return on Sunday from the Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home, New York, United States, spent over an hour with his counterpart in his inner sitting room. The duo sat on one chair.

Suntai was wearing an ash-colour suit with a blue-black shirt. Nyako was clad in a white agbada and a black cap.

He prayed for Suntai to recover fully.

As Nyako prayed, Suntai bowed his head, responding–in a low voice: “Amen, amen”.

Prayers over, Suntai clapped his hands and smiled.

When Nyako shook Suntai’s hand, telling him he was about to leave, the tears began to drop.

The Taraba governor looked smarter yesterday. He also walked without assistance – unlike when he arrived in Abuja on Sunday, aided to walk from the plane onto the tarmac.

He wore a stress-free face and was more relaxed. He did not wince, as he did on Sunday.

Speaking with the wife of the Taraba Governor, Hajiya Hauwa Suntai, in the main sitting room, Nyako described him as his brother and not only a colleague.

“What affects him affects me too. I pray he recovers speedily so that he can continue with the work, where he stopped,” he said.

Suntai’s wife expressed appreciation for Nyako’s show of love.

She recalled that the Adamawa governor conveyed Suntai to the Yola Hospital and to Abuja the following day before he was flown abroad for treatment when the accident occured.

Addressing reporters, Nyako said: “You saw me sheding tears of joy”.

“I am very happy; I can now go back to my state (Adamawa) and tell my people.

“I wish him (Suntai) a very quick recovery. Governor Suntai and I have a lot of struggles and grounds to cover”; when he recovers, we shall ensure that justice prevails and democracy is being developed in our dear states.”

Nyako recalled when Taraba and Adamawa were carved out of the defunct Gongola State in 1991, stressing that Taraba and Adamawa are one.

The Adamawa governor left the Government House, Jalingo at 12:00p.m.

Acting governor of Taraba State Garba Umar yesterday said he was happy over his boss’s return.

He briefed reporters in his office in Jalingo.

Umar appreciated the turnout and urged Taraba people to “sustain the unity and cooperation”.

“I am very happy for the successful homecoming of my boss, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Danbaba Suntai.

“I appreciate the unity, cooperation and the way everyone turned out. I want to urge Taraba people to sustain this unity and cooperation.

The House of Assembly may hold a plenary on Suntai’s homecoming today, it was learnt.

Suntai has communicated the House in writing about his return.

The Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, held a meeting with the acting governor in the latter’s office yesterday evening.

The speaker declined to speak to reporters after the meeting.