Book on Taraba ex-governor for presentation

At last a book detailing the intrigues that followed the plane crash of former Governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, is ready for presentation to the public.

Suntair, who is still undergoing medical treatment in the U.S. following injuries he sustained in the October 25th, 2012 plane crash in Yola, Adamawa State, was unable to complete his tenure. His deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, was not given the opportunity to govern in his stead.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the book’s author and the state’s former Commissioner for Information, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, said a thousand copies of the book are ready for distribution.

Titled Suntai: Betrayers, Loyalists and the Media War, Bello said the book covered the period after the plane crash with the governor and three of his aides surviving. The political manoeuvres, which followed the crash, according to Bello, are the central theme of the book

While speaking on the motivation for the book, Bello said, “I have been asked all sorts of questions concerning the saga by reporters and the general public alike. So, I thought I should have a little book out to correct some misconceptions and also reawaken some debates. Maybe we shall know more why everyone behaved the way they did or took their position. Besides, it is for me a narration of my humble role during the crisis. Ultimately, I just want to shed a little new light on the events of that saga”.

On the controversial nature of the book, Bello noted, “The book would certainly stimulate more conversation on the issue. My hope is that as soon as someone finishes reading, they would be yearning for more information and this could open up more discussion on the subject. One book can’t explain all that has happened. So, I have limited myself to the media warfare, if you like, that transpired.”

With a foreword written by the Chairman, Editorial Board of THISDAY, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Bello said the Taraba saga bore some similarities with late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua situation, especially the role the nation’s media played.

A public presentation of the book will take place in Abuja on September 15. Taraba’s new Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, will be guest of honour, while Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, representing Southern Taraba, will chair the occasion.