Enugu Governor, Sullivan
Chime, in UK hospital with heart disease
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 Sahara Reporters.
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.
Culled from
Linda Ikeji blog
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