The confusion surrounding fate of Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State, North-East Nigeria, has finally been cleared through a statement from the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

The short statement confirmed that Governor Suntai was personally flying the aircraft when it crashed but did not die in the accident.

"An aircraft, Cessna 208 with people on board including crew, operated by the Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai crashed near Yola but no life has been reported lost,” the statement said.

While an aide of President Goodluck Jonathan initially confirmed Suntai’s death, the State Government insisted that he survived the plane crash at Yola Airport in neighbouring Adamawa State.

Reno Omokri, Special Assistant to the President on New Media, had tweeted: “May the soul of the late departed Governor, Danbaba Suntai, of Taraba State rest in peace and may God grant the state peace this trying time.” He later deleted the tweet.

“The governor is still alive but injured,” said his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa,

in a statement. He disclosed that officials of the State Government were desperately making efforts to reach the crash site and the Adamawa General Hospital where Governor Suntai and others in the crashed plane belonging to the Taraba State Government are said to be receiving treatment.

Born 30 June 1961, Suntai (shown in photo) was a pharmacist before entering politics. He rode to power as Executive Governor of Taraba State on the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in April 2007, and was sworn in on 29 May 2007. He ran successfully for reelection on 26 April 2011.