NEWS: Enugu State Gov Chime Returns Next Weekend

Enugu State governor Sullivan Chime

There were indications last night that Enugu State governor Sullivan Chime will arrive in the country next weekend after spending about four months abroad for medical treatment.

 

Though the state government never disclosed Chime’s health status to the public, it is believed that the governor is suffering from cancer. He is currently receiving treatment in London.

 

A source told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that Governor Chime will be coming back  to Nigeria next weekend.

 

Chime, who is serving his second tenure in office, left the country in September 2012 for medical attention; the state government claimed that he was only embarking on a six-week vacation.

 

But since he left the country last year, he had not been seen or heard of until last Tuesday when a syndicated photograph he took with three governors was released to media houses.

 

In the photograph, Chime was seen in the midst of three state governors: Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue) while they were wearing winds heaters due to the cold weather in London. 

 

But his prolonged absence has elicited mixed reactions among the citizens of the state. While some non-governmental organisations   including the Save Enugu Group (SEG) are calling for his impeachment on the grounds of overstaying his vacation and refusal to properly hand over to his deputy, some are of the opinion that he should be given the benefit of the doubt.

 

Chime had stirred the hornet’s nest on September 19, 2012, when he travelled out of the country after reportedly transmitting a letter to the state House of Assembly that he was proceeding on leave and handing over the reins of authority to his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi.

 

The governor’s failure to return to office after six weeks led to speculations of ill-health and. But the Enugu State commissioner for information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke,  claimed  that due process was followed by the governor in proceeding on what he called  “accumulated vacation”.

 

 

SOURCE: LEADERSHIP