Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime yesterday returned to Nigeria – after four months overseas for medical reasons.
Chime, who travelled out on September 15, last year, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja early in the morning. He did not show up in public all day.
There was also no official statement on his arrival, but he is billed to travel to Enugu from Abuja today to resume duties.
There were fire works at the Government House in Enugu last night in anticipation of Chime’s arrival in the Coal City.
Sources said Chime was holed up in his room at Transcorp Hilton where access to the governor was restricted.
On his arrival, Chime was said to have been taken under tight security to a private house. He later relocated to the 10th floor of the Transcorp Hilton.
A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The governor chose to come into the country quietly. He does not want fanfare at all because of issues surrounding his health.
“Initially, he wanted to stay in a private house before the choice of Transcorp Hilton. He is in good health.”
The source said: “It is normal to strengthen security to allow the governor to rest for a while.”
The Save Enugu Group, in a statement by Maxi Okwu Ikenecheoha II, Chief Willy Ezeugwu, and Igbonekwu Ogazimora, said there had been much noise over Chime’s health because it was not properly handled.
It said: “Save Enugu Group received with joy the informal news of the return of Governor Sullivan Chime into Nigeria in the wee hours of this morning. We are reliably informed that Governor Chime arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on a British Airways flight from London Heathrow and moved to the Enugu Lodge in Abuja.
“We note that this event is taking place exactly one month after we first sounded the alarm on his prolonged and unexplained absence.
“We acclaim this as falling within desired responsive action of leaders in a democracy.
“If the further information on the frail condition of the Governor is reliable, we wish to state that Governor Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ in good health institutions if the right things were done first and before questions arose.
“In that respect, we, as other good people of Enugu State, stand to hold those responsible for primitive lies and needless cover-ups responsible.
“We wish our governor well and full recovery.”
Residents of Enugu and supporters of the governor are keeping vigil at the Enugu Airport to witness his arrival today.
Government House sources hinted that the governor would like to arrive in Enugu without any ceremony.
According to the source, the governor intends to quietly arrive Enugu and resume duty.
“Those waiting for him at the airport may be disappointed as he may decide to return by road,” said the source.
The source, a top government official, said the governor, after a brief stay in his office on arrival, would immediately go round to inspect some projects in Enugu.
But his supporters were yesterday insisting on rousing reception.
Enugu went agog yesterday as the news of Chime’s return was broken.
There were noticeable traffic gridlocks around the seat of government in Independence Layout.
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) expressed delight and solidarity at the safe return of the governor.
The CNPP, in a statement after its monthly meeting, expressed gratitude to Acting Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, members of the state executive and the legislature “for their support and contributions in keeping Enugu working while the governor was away”.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed gratitude to the people of Enugu State for praying for Chime.
National Publicity Secretary Mr Olisa Metuh, in a statement, said the peoples’ prayer for the governor showed that they appreciated him and his good work.
“We thank the good people of Enugu State, and indeed, all Nigerians whose prayers ensured the successful return of the governor.
“We daresay that the love shown to the governor by all and sundry during his period of incapacitation is a clear indication that our people appreciate the good work of the governor,’’ Metuh said.
He expressed confidence that the governor would consolidate on the tremendous achievements of his administration, now that he is back to work.
Metuh added that the party’s leadership received with joy the news of the governor‘s return and thanked God for restoring his health.
He also thanked functionaries of the State Government and the state PDP officers for their loyalty and commitment to the party’s ideals while the governor was away.
Chime, who travelled out on September 15, last year, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja early in the morning. He did not show up in public all day.
There was also no official statement on his arrival, but he is billed to travel to Enugu from Abuja today to resume duties.
There were fire works at the Government House in Enugu last night in anticipation of Chime’s arrival in the Coal City.
Sources said Chime was holed up in his room at Transcorp Hilton where access to the governor was restricted.
On his arrival, Chime was said to have been taken under tight security to a private house. He later relocated to the 10th floor of the Transcorp Hilton.
A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The governor chose to come into the country quietly. He does not want fanfare at all because of issues surrounding his health.
“Initially, he wanted to stay in a private house before the choice of Transcorp Hilton. He is in good health.”
The source said: “It is normal to strengthen security to allow the governor to rest for a while.”
The Save Enugu Group, in a statement by Maxi Okwu Ikenecheoha II, Chief Willy Ezeugwu, and Igbonekwu Ogazimora, said there had been much noise over Chime’s health because it was not properly handled.
It said: “Save Enugu Group received with joy the informal news of the return of Governor Sullivan Chime into Nigeria in the wee hours of this morning. We are reliably informed that Governor Chime arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on a British Airways flight from London Heathrow and moved to the Enugu Lodge in Abuja.
“We note that this event is taking place exactly one month after we first sounded the alarm on his prolonged and unexplained absence.
“We acclaim this as falling within desired responsive action of leaders in a democracy.
“If the further information on the frail condition of the Governor is reliable, we wish to state that Governor Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ in good health institutions if the right things were done first and before questions arose.
“In that respect, we, as other good people of Enugu State, stand to hold those responsible for primitive lies and needless cover-ups responsible.
“We wish our governor well and full recovery.”
Residents of Enugu and supporters of the governor are keeping vigil at the Enugu Airport to witness his arrival today.
Government House sources hinted that the governor would like to arrive in Enugu without any ceremony.
According to the source, the governor intends to quietly arrive Enugu and resume duty.
“Those waiting for him at the airport may be disappointed as he may decide to return by road,” said the source.
The source, a top government official, said the governor, after a brief stay in his office on arrival, would immediately go round to inspect some projects in Enugu.
But his supporters were yesterday insisting on rousing reception.
Enugu went agog yesterday as the news of Chime’s return was broken.
There were noticeable traffic gridlocks around the seat of government in Independence Layout.
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) expressed delight and solidarity at the safe return of the governor.
The CNPP, in a statement after its monthly meeting, expressed gratitude to Acting Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, members of the state executive and the legislature “for their support and contributions in keeping Enugu working while the governor was away”.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed gratitude to the people of Enugu State for praying for Chime.
National Publicity Secretary Mr Olisa Metuh, in a statement, said the peoples’ prayer for the governor showed that they appreciated him and his good work.
“We thank the good people of Enugu State, and indeed, all Nigerians whose prayers ensured the successful return of the governor.
“We daresay that the love shown to the governor by all and sundry during his period of incapacitation is a clear indication that our people appreciate the good work of the governor,’’ Metuh said.
He expressed confidence that the governor would consolidate on the tremendous achievements of his administration, now that he is back to work.
Metuh added that the party’s leadership received with joy the news of the governor‘s return and thanked God for restoring his health.
He also thanked functionaries of the State Government and the state PDP officers for their loyalty and commitment to the party’s ideals while the governor was away.
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