Governor Darius Ishaku has continuously supported
former governor Danbaba Suntai who is currently
recuperating in the United States in many ways. This
assertion was contained in a statement by Senior
Special Assistant to Governor Ishaku on Public
Affairs, Emmanuel Bello. Bello said it is curious that
those who, just recently, plotted to impeach and
disgrace Suntai out of office by all means, are the
ones now championing the cause for the former
governor's welfare. Bello was reacting to accusations
by the opposition that the Suntai was used for
political purposes and now abandoned by a cabal.

Insinuations are rife by the opposition that having
achieved their aim, stakeholders had no need for
Suntai again and have since left him to his fate.
Singling out Governor Ishaku, they said he rode on
the back of Suntai to power and has since stopped
showing concern about his predecessor's plight.
But in a swift reaction, Bello said the allegations are
baseless and can not stand serious scrutiny. He said,
" the same people who are chanting that former
governor Suntai has been abandoned were the ones
who plotted his impeachment after the Ill fated crash.
They were the same people who said Suntai was
brain dead and wanted to thwart the constitution for
their own selfish reasons. They were the ones who
wanted to uproot Suntai's structure and plant their
own. They failed woefully. Suntai left office with his
head held high. Suddenly this same people who
wanted Suntai out by hook or crook have now
become sympathisers of the former governor. Were
these not the same people who were dancing after
Suntai had that crash? When did they suddenly start
loving him to the extent of always trying to blackmail
everyone concerning his wellbeing. What have they
ever done to show that they care about Suntai? They
were the ones who abandoned Suntai when he most
needed supporters."

Bello further noted that since the crash, both the last
administration and the current one have continued to
play their statutory roles in ensuring the welfare of
the ailing governor. He said "some of those critics
are displaying some ignorance in how government
works. All former governors do benefits from some
form of provisions within the ambit of law, just as
former presidents or anyone who has been in public
service. So even officially, there is nothing like being
abandoned. And in the case of governor Suntai, he
has continued to experience the good will of
government even beyond what is statutory. When he
was in hospital many people paid from their pockets
to go and visit him. Don't forget that he's loved by
many people both in Taraba state and elsewhere.
Governor Ishaku in particular, although saddled with
the arduous task of running the state hasn't forgotten
Suntai and has continued to pray for him. Recently, at
Suntai daughter's wedding, top government
functionaries was there with good will from the state.
Suntai's political associates still visit him in the
United States. Back home here Governor Ishaku has
ensured that Suntai's younger brother was appointed
the Care Taker Chairman of Bali (Suntai's local
government). Many Suntai's former cabinet members
are part of the current administration. Above all, the
biggest political project of former governor Suntai
and the party which is power shift to southern Taraba
has been sustained. The ideals of that power shift is
symbolised in the person of the Governor Ishaku."

Bello continued, "only a mischievous merchant of
falsehood would say anyone has abandoned Suntai.
As I write this, Governor Ishaku has agreed to be the
chief host of a book celebrating the former governor
written by me. Please, let's be fair in our criticisms.
This governor has continue to stand by any
downtrodden citizen, let alone a man he fought hard
to see he remained in office. At the time when the
current " lovers" of Suntai were trying to uproot a
sick man, Governor Ishaku (then a minister) fought
real hard to maintain his (Suntai) dignity and
integrity.

At the time they were strategising to
disgrace Suntai, Ishaku was involved with the
movement that frustrated their plans. So what is this
prattling all about other than the cooing of failures?"