*Dogara, Umahi, PDP mourn
Former Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, who survived an air crash at the Yola Airport in Adamawa State in 2012, is dead.
He died on Wednesday at the age of 56.
Although details of his demise were sketchy by press time, he was said to have died at home where he was undergoing rehabilitation for brain injuries arising from the plane crash.
However, Taraba State government and family sources have separately confirmed the demise of the former governor.
A former commissioner for information in the state, Emmanuel Bello and a younger brother to the ex-governor, Babangida Suntai both confirmed the news of his demise but gave no further details.
In the meantime, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has joined well-meaning Nigerians to mourn the demise of former Taraba State governor, Danbaba Suntai, who passed on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, Dogara prayed the Almighty God to comfort his immediate family and the people of Taraba State.
“I received the news of the death of former governor Suntai with a deep feeling of sadness but God is the author of life, from Him we came and to Him we will return.
“To the government and people of Taraba State, I extend my heartfelt condolences, and to his immediate family members who are the ones who will feel the pain more deeply. I pray God comforts you and gives you the fortitude to bear the loss,” the Speaker said.
Dogara described the late Suntai has a dedicated and purpose-driven leader who had the interest of his people at heart and has left indelible footprints on the development of the state.
It will be recalled that Suntai, who was a pharmacist by profession, was governor of Taraba State between 2007 and 2015. He also survived a plane crash in 2012.
Also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the late former governor of Taraba, Mr Danbaba Suntai, as an outstanding and professional man.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, the Deputy PDP National Chairman in Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff’s faction, said this on Wednesday.
“We are proud of late Suntai. He left his profession and became a politician in order to bring quality to governance.
“This, he exhibited, while in office until the unfortunate plane crash incident.
“Suntai represented PDP well and are very proud of him.”
Ojougboh said that until his death Suntai never gave up as he was involved in the struggle for the progress of PDP and Nigeria.
He said that the PDP commiserated with the family of late Suntai, the people and government of Taraba state on the great lost.
Suntai, 56, who has been receiving treatment in hospital across the world since he was involved in a plane crash in October 2012 died in Houston, Florida, in the United States on Wednesday.
Mr Emmanuel Bello, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Darius Ishaku on Public Affairs, had confirmed the incident to NAN on telephone on Wednesday.
Also, Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. David Umahi, has commiserated with the government and people of Taraba State over the death of the former governor of the state,Mr.Dambaba Suntai.
In a condolence message in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on Thursday, Umahi condoled with the Suntai family, his friend and governor of Taraba State, Mr. Darius Ishiaku, and indeed the entire people of Taraba State.
Governor Umahi who is also the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum described the former Taraba governor as a seasoned politician and administrator who fought tirelessly to ensure the welfare and prosperity of his people.
He described his demise as a national loss, adding that it came at a time when the Northern Nigeria and the country in general needed a good leader like him in the tasking of fixing the country.
He observed that the former governor’s entire political career was full of great accomplishments and lofty legacies, and urged the family and Taraba people to honour his memory by sustaining the wonderful legacies he left behind.
Umahi further called on the family and people of Taraba state to accept the death of the former governor as the will of God and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
“It is with great shock that I received the news of the death of
former Governor, Dambaba Suntai of Taraba state. He was one of the
finest politicians and leaders of this country and our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who contributed immensely to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
“He was a great political leader and mobilizer who rose to become Governor and leader of Taraba State for 8 good years.
“He was a man of peace who wanted the best for his people and for this nation. His death is a national loss because it came at a time when his leadership acumen and peaceful disposition are needed most as we strive to uphold the unity of this nation.
”May God grants his soul eternal rest in His kingdom and give the immediate family and good the people of Taraba state the fortitude to bear his loss,” Governor Umahi said.
