Governor Sullivan Chime, who has been missing
from Enugu State since September 2012 when he applied accumulated leave
that ought to have lasted only one and a half months, is battling heart
disease in London’s Cromwell Hospital, sources have told
SaharaReporters.
Despite efforts to ferry him home to quell public restlessness in the
State, the condition of the governor, whose medical sojourn started in
India, has remained dire.The prolonged absence of the Governor has left the state under the
complete control of his Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo. Deputy
Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, who is a neophyte, is limited to monetary
spending limit of not more than N500,000k at a time.
Before becoming governor, Mr. Chime was
Enugu state's Attorney
General in the government of now-indicted former Governor Chimaroke
Nnamani. During Chimaroke's reign in the state and for eight years,
several assassinations, including that of Victor Nwankwo, the business
manager of the vocal activist Arthur Nwankwo, helped to chill public
dissent.
Following the disappearance from public view of Governor Chime in
2012, several assassinations have also been experienced in the state.
Emeka Agwu, a man described as vocal and fearless, was assassinated in
December 2012. He hailed from Udi, the same local government area as
the governor.
Other assassinations, including those of Ogbo Edoda and Ikeckucku
Alagwu, a coordinator of MDG projects in two LGAs, have sent fear
throughout the state and chilled notable voices. So far, there are no
investigations into those murders.
Enugu indigenes are fearful about what lies ahead for the State, and
many prominent church leaders who hail from the same area as the
governor have gone silent. The state assembly is also in the pockets of
the governor.
A few days ago, a pro-democracy association of Enugu State citizens
which calls itself the Save Enugu Group, called on Acting Governor
Onyebuchi to make a “categorical explanation” on the condition and
whereabouts of Governor Chime.
The Acting Governor has yet to respond.
The Acting Governor has yet to respond.