President Goodluck Jonathan Friday visited the Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, who was involved in a Cesna 208 5N-BMJ plane crash Thursday at the Yola Airport, at the National Hospital in Abuja, describing his condition as stable.
Suntai, was moved from Yola to the National Hospital for adequate medical care.
Jonathan on arrival at the Emergency Ward of the hospital at about 3:15 p.m in a BMW car with few security aides and was received by the Chief Medical Director, CMD, Professor Bello Bala Shehu.
Speaking during the visit to Suntai, Jonathan assured curious newsmen that the Governor was in stable health. He said, “First and foremost I have to thank God for what has happened. Plane crash is not something you just wave off.
“We are quite happy that the governor is stable, I have seen him, doctors are working very hard on him. I believe that God willing, he will come out of it. But he is still in hospital. Being a governor, people are worried. People want to know his state of health.”
CRASHED–The wreckage of the plane: Inset: Gov. Suntai and parts of the crashed plane.
Also fielding questions from newsmen on the condition of the governor, the CMD said, “He is very stable. For the first 24 hours of any injury, there are worries…We will continue to observe him for the first 24 hours. There is no need to do any operation on him. He is very stable. Given what happened, we are very satisfied with the situation at the moment.”
Meanwhile, the Senate President, David Mark , has commiserated with the Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Dan-Fulani Suntai over the injuries he sustained in the crash even as the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP also urged Nigerians to pray for Governor Suntai and his aides for speedy recovery, according to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metu.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark also urged Nigerians to pray for Suntai for a speedy recovery, even as he expressed shock at the news of the accident.
The party particularly asked its members nationwide to observe prayers tomorrow for his quick recovery pointing out that the fact that Suntai survived such a huge crash, was an indication that God has a greater purpose for his (Suntai) existence and services to his fatherland.
“While praying for their speedy recovery, the party should not to allow the pains of the moment to shake their faith in God.”
However, Mark who sympathized with the government and the people of Taraba State, however urged them to remain calm and prayerful for speedy recovery of their beloved Governor.
According to him, “I received with shock the news of plane crash involving the Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, although, it came with a relief that our brother, Suntai survived the crash and his responding to medical attention.
“I sincerely sympathize with the families of those that lost their loved ones in the crash and pray God to give them eternal rest. It is quite unfortunate but we cannot question God in any circumstances.”
Senator Mark then urged government functionaries in Taraba State to ensure that no vacuum was created in governance during the little period of Governor Suntai medical treatment while assuring of the National Assembly support at all times.