10th January, 2013
Prominent Enugu state indigenes across Nigeria are currently mobilising to fight against the continued absence of the state Governor, Sullivan Chime, from the state for the past four months, P.M.NEWS has learnt.
The indigenes are coming together under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG) which is patterned after the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) that was formed as a result of the crisis that followed the disappearance of the late former President Umar Yar’Adua from the country and the shoddy handling of the crisis by his aides at that time.
Governor Chime has not been seen since 19 September, 2012, meaning that he has not performed his official duties in the last 111 days.
This disappearance from office is beginning to give the indigenes serious concern especially as his whereabouts and health status are being kept secret by his aides just like during the Yar’Adua era.
The group, which has popular activists including Chief Maxi Okwu, Ozo Igbonekwu Ogazimora, Chief Willy Ezugwu, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, Comrade Victor Eneh and Barr. Ray Nnaji, believes this is unconstitutional and is therefore pushing for the due process to be followed, threatening that its members would use every legal means to ensure adherence to the constitution under the current situation.
The group, in a letter sent to the Deputy Governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi, and made available to P.M.NEWS, demanded that the whereabouts of the governor be immediately made public and a high-powered delegation be sent to verify his status within a fortnight.
The delegation to be constituted, according to the group, must include “eminent Enugu state sons and daughters.
Among them are:His Grace, Bishop Callistus Onaga, Catholic Bishop of Enugu; Rev. Hyde Onuaguluchi; Prof. Barth Nnaji; Igwe Paul Egbogu; Chief Mrs. Grace Obayi; Chief Nduka Eya, Secretary General Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo; Dr. Louis Anya Chukwuma etc, to pay a visit to the governor wherever he is, and report back to the people of Enugu state.
The letter sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, further advised the state government to make a categorical explanation on the fateof the governor before the crisis in the state gets worse.
“We finally urge that this matter be given the priority attention it deserves, and the palpable anxiety pervading the state arrested within a maximum period of a fortnight,” the group demanded through the letter titled: ‘Prolonged And Unexplained Absence Of his Excellency, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, Governor, Enugu State.’
The group said the indigenes and residents of the state could no longer accept the misinformation from those in government concerning the governor adding that since his last appearance in September last year, “sightings and near sightings of him have been reported which all turned out to be a hoax.
“This unsavory state of affairs has created a thriving mill of idle gossipers who speculate on his whereabouts and state of health. These rumours have ranged from the insensitive to the ludicrous.”
The SEG further noted that as a result of this misinformation, the news of the governor’s death spread like wild fire across the globe on the same day a helicopter crash in Bayelsa state claimed the lives of Governor Yakowa of Kaduna State and General Owoye Azazi, former National Security Adviser (NSA).
“On at least two occasions the Commissioner for Information Enugu in the state, Mr. Chuks Ngwoke, had come out with an official statement on the status of the governor. Essentially it was stated that His Excellency was quietly enjoying his holiday and accumulated leave, or that he would be in office shortly.
“These conflicting accounts merely served to exacerbate rather than ameliorate the situation.
“We must bring to your notice that the public is awash with accounts of the inability of the Acting Governor to discharge his mandate under the Constitution as a cabal of unelected officers have rendered his authority otiose.
“At this juncture we make bold to ask: Can the governor hand over and create an acting administration in perpetuity? What is the duration of annual leave for the governor?
“How many days make up this ‘accumulated annual leave’. Could the constitution and government holiday regulations have given His Excellency a carte blanch to take a break for over 100 days? We do not think so,” the SEG said.
The pressure group, which confirmed that Governor Chime had done well while still active, added that it had become glaring that his unreasonable absence from office, is suggestive of permanent inability to discharge the functions of his office.
“In the alternative we would argue that his disappearance for this extended period amounts to grave misconduct,” the group declared.
—Eromsele Ebhomele