For the first time since he left the country 135 days ago, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, yesterday, opened up on his condition, saying he is in good health and will soon return to the country.
The governor spoke exclusively to Vanguard while receiving three governors, who visited him in London, United Kingdom where he is recovering after an illness.
The visit of the governors followed unprecedented speculations on the state of Chime’s health.
I’m very great— Chime
Governor Chime’s declaration came as the Speaker of the Enugu State
House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, rejected a call by prominent citizens of
the state under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG) for the House to
invoke the Doctrine of Necessity to enthrone the deputy governor of the
state, Sunday Onyebuchi as acting governor.Speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, Chime said: ”I am alive and well, I will be back very, very soon.”
Asked how he felt, the governor in a very strong, cheerful voice said: “I am great, very, very great. Tell Nigerians to discountenance all the rumours about my health.”
Chime is in good shape – Amaechi
Speaking on Chime’s health, Amaechi said: “We saw him in an
atmosphere of recovery. We were able to go out with him, he is in good
shape and is getting ready to come back home very soon. We thank God for
what He has done, how He has helped him to recover.”
He has recovered fully – Suswam
Also speaking, Suswam said: “Chime has been discharged from the
hospital. He has recovered fully and is physically okay. I was
impressed with what I saw. We walked around together, ate together and
he is going about on his own.”
We must desist from wishing our leaders evil – Akpabio
Also speaking on their encounter with Chime, Akpabio said: “He has
recovered tremendously, I am very happy and I give glory to God. This
our visit to him and the fact that he was able to speak with Vanguard
has put paid to all the rumours. Nigerians should learn how to pray for
their leaders instead of ganging up through NGOs and groups and wishing
them evil. We are all human beings. As humans, we can break down
anytime which means we should be sympathetic with our leaders when they
face challenges whether health wise or security wise. We should pray for
them instead of wishing them bad.”
Speaker berates Chime’s critics
Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odo, yesterday,
faulted the position of the Save Enugu Group (SEG) on Governor Sullivan
Chime’s prolonged absence from the state, saying the lawmakers did not
in any way violate the Nigerian constitution in their handling of the
issue.Odo, who spoke on the floor of the House at the resumption of debates on the state’s 2013 budget proposal, said by not invoking the Doctrine of Necessity to dislodge Chime on account of his leave, the House had not done anything wrong to warrant any attack as witnessed in the recent past.
The Chief Maxi Okwu-led SEG had in a letter to the Speaker on Monday asked the lawmakers to use the Doctrine of Necessity to empower the acting governor of Enugu state, Sunday Onyebuchi, citing the case of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
How the controversies started
On September 19, 2012, exactly 135 days ago, Governor Chime travelled
out of the country after transmitting a letter to the House of Assembly
that he was proceeding on leave and handing over the reins of authority
to his deputy, Onyebuchi.The governor’s failure to return to office after six weeks sparked controversy, leading to speculations of ill-health and varied allegations of incapacity. Enugu Commissioner for Information Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, however, repeatedly asserted that due process was followed by the governor in proceeding on what he described as “accumulated vacation.”
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So, at last, the reason for Chime's absence has something to do with his health and not due to accumulated leave"
ReplyDelete99% of rumours have some truth in them, there is no smoke without fire
ReplyDeleteI thank God for him sha
ReplyDelete