Re: A Governor’s Suicide Flight

There is no doubt that Governor Danbaba Suntai’s plane mishap of October 25, 2012 close to Yola International Airport in Adamawa State elicited so much commentaries from sympathisers, social critics and arm-chair columnists whose stock-in-trade is to belabour non-issues at critical and sober periods.

Writing in The Nation’s newspaper in an opinion article titled “A Governor’s Suicide Flight”, one Dele Agekameh had noted thus: “Given the enormous task of running a state, one wonders if it was wise for Governor Suntai to be  flying an aircraft at the same time, admistering over his state”. Interestingly, the same writer lost sight of the fact that Governor Suntai has a right to fly an airplane as a qualified pilot. Afterall, he trained as a pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria several years ago.

Again, it is no longer news that a few state governors enjoy the pleasure of driving themselves. One of such governors is Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State. And what can be wrong in a state governor exhibiting his passion in whatever way it pleases him. Aren’t they mere mortals following the dictates of their passion?

We have read cases of how Delta State governor  Emmanuel Uduaghan, a medical doctor rekindles his passion by using the stethoscope whenever the occasion warrants.

Dele Agekameh insinuates in his write-up that “we have even been informed that there was security report against the governor flying that particular aircraft”. That is a serious indictment against the governor. Is it why the writer termed it a “suicide flight?” Is anyone suggesting that the governor deliberately went on a suicide mission to get killed and also kill the aides who were with him on that unfortunate flight?

It is still fresh in our memory how  a one time governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa died after falling off his horse during a durbar. And the governor was certainly not an amateur horse rider!

Also, the late Italy’s fascist leader, Senito Mussolini had a passion for flying. It is even on record that as prime minister of Italy during World War 11, he flew a fighter jet. Although it was not for any combat reasons, he even invited Herr Adolf Hitler, the then German Chancellor who was on a state visit to Italy to sit by his side while exhibiting his flying skills, perhaps to the discomfort of his August visitor. 

The point here is not to condemn Governor Suntai, but to admire his guts, and congratulate him for forgetting about his current  status, and going through the rigours of training as a professional  pilot. Again, we thank Allah that there are no questions about the authenticity of his pilot credentials. It is not of the ‘Toronto’ or ‘Chicago’ phenomenon. His presence was noted at the famous Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria. He was not given any preferential treatment while there, as he went through the rudiments and rigours of flying an airplane.

The question of air worthiness of any aircraft prior to its take-off has been quite  debatable. Weather condition, as well as technical problems could give rise to air mishap, as such, nobody should the governor for negligence or incompetence.

Dele Agekameh was quite uncharitable when he wrote that “Taraba is one of the poorest states in the country; harnessing the resources of the state towards optimum economic growth would be more like it, rather than this flying passion of a governor”.

Furthermore, Governor Suntai has never been accused of ostentatious living. From all indications, he has been delivering on democracy dividends since his assumption of office in 2007.

Before criticizing the governor’s tenure thus far, we need to cast our minds back to what obtained in Taraba prior to the Suntai administration. it is on record that the former Governor Jolly Nyame was indicted by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for engaging in shoddy deals running into billions of naira. So far, Governor Danbaba Suntai has come clean and dry.

Finally, for those who are angling to move into the Taraba Government House, even when the governor has not  been pronounced dead, I thing they must bear in mind their own mortality.

That, Governor Suntai and his aides survived that crash remains the greatest ‘miracle’ of 2012. Governor Suntai is loved by his creator. His survival should serve as a reminder to all of us, especially our rapacious politicians who will stop at nothing to gain political power that God will always be there for you if your hands are clean.

Tarabans of all religious, ethnic and political persuasions should bury their differences and offer thanksgiving to The Lord of The Worlds for the best ‘miracle’ Taraba has ever witnessed since its creation.

Governor Danbaba Fulani Suntai has unfinished business with the people of Taraba State as his miraculous escape from the claws of death eloquently protrays. WIshing him and his trusted aides, Allah’s continued protection and speedy recovery.

—Mo Jo, a public affairs analyst wrote from Abuja