From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
Groups and residents of Taraba state have warned against plans to return its ailing Governor, Danbaba Suntai, saying his life will be endangered if returned against medical advice.
Residents and civil groups in the state, under the aegis of Taraba Peoples Assembly, said the plan to return Governor Suntai to the state by his political associates will again, deteriorate his health.
The group’s coordinator, Martin Andekin, in a statement, alleged that the latest plot to bring the governor into the country was aimed at disrupting political peace in the state with an ultimate goal being for the sick Suntai to take over the reins of power from the acting governor, thereby launching another round of political chaos in the state.
Reacting to the Governor Suntai planned return, the Senior Assistant to the acting Governor, Aaron Artimas said it is fraudulent for people who did not take him abroad for treatment to now claim responsibility for his return.
He noted that the state government, under the acting governor, has been footing his medical bills, saying “no member of his associates has ever dropped a dime, either for his treatment or his family up- keep”.
According to Artimas, what is most important is to save the life of the ailing governor not 2015 election and its politicking. “Our concern as government is to see that the executive governor gets medically fit. The acting governor is doing everything morally and financially possible to ensure his boss gets well and this entire struggle for power by his associates is unfortunate”, he further said.
Artimas said the government will at the appropriate time tell the people the level of damage done to the state by this so-called Suntai’s associates.
