THE health condition of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has become a cause of concern for the people of the state in the last few weeks, following the governor’s long absences from his duty post in the state.
Chime returned from a long trip abroad on September the 19th, which was the last time he was seen in public, before departing yet again for an undisclosed location abroad.
Although the Enugu government house sources are telling the press that the governor is only making use of his accumulated leave, tongues are wagging over the governor’s long absences, especially as it has begun to tell on government activities in the state.
Sources say Mr. Chime had written the state House of Assembly of his absence, and also to formalize the transfer of the apparatus of power to his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, who will act as deputy governor.
Amid the growing curiosity on the health of the 59 year old governor, there is no official word from the governor’s office. His press secretary, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, also has nothing to offer despite promising to address the issue. The letter that was allegedly written by Governor to the state House of Assembly was never read on the floor either.
Speaker of the House, Mr. Eugene Odo has yet to confirm or deny that he received any communication from Chime prior to the latter’s departure. Also, the public relations office of the House of Assembly said that it is not a rule for the speaker to read out such letter, where it exists.
“It is not compulsory that the Speaker must read the letter to the entire House. He could decide to read it out during the plenary or executive session,” said Mr. Jonah Ugwuanyi.
“The governor wrote me and said he was going on leave and that the deputy governor would act until he returns,” he added.
Chime is currently serving his second term of office in the ‘Coal City State’, having won re-election for another four-year mandate in April of 2011. He previously served as attorney-general with the administration of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani.