Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai of Taraba State yesterday telephoned from his sickbed in Hannover, Germany apparently to rubbish speculations about his purported vegetable state.
The surprise call at 4.03pm, was his first direct communication with any journalist since his involvement in the October 25, 2012 plane crash inYola, Adamawa State.
In a slow but audible tone, the governor said: “I’m grateful to God”, when asked about his health.
The conversation was brief but the voice was unmistakable.
The call had been initiated by the Commissioner for Information,Mr.Emmanuel Bello, who is in Germany for the purpose of recording the governor on video and showing same at home to Tarabans who have become worried about speculations on the governor’s health.
Mr.Bello said he was with Suntai who, according to him,was not looking badly.
The conversation went thus:
Reporter: Your Excellency, good evening?
Suntai:Yes
Reporter: This is Fanen Ihyongo of The Nation
Suntai: Yes. Fanen how are you?
Reporter: I am fine . How is your health today?
Suntai: Fine. I thank God.
Reporter: I understand you have recovered?
Suntai: Yes.
Reporter: I am happy to hear that and to speak with you. How do you feel surviving the crash?
Suntai: I thank God. I am grateful to God that I survived. Also, I thank God for the recovery. Where are you?
Reporter: At the state secretariat in Jalingo.
Suntai: Ok. How is everybody?
Reporter: We are fine. Everybody is praying for your recovery and return home.
Suntai: Thank you. Greet everybody
Reporter: Your people are really missing you and they are keen to see you back home.
Suntai: (Laughs). I know. I will be back very soon.
Mr.Bello had, in a statement on Tuesday, spoken of the governor’s plan to return home soon.
Deputy Governor Garba Umar, who had earlier visited his principal, said on his return: “I am going to organise a tele-conference where my boss will personally talk to the media.I will even give you the phone to personally talk to him if you so wish.”
Courtesy: The Nation