Guardian

THE absence of Governor Sullivan Chime from Enugu State over alleged ill-health pitted some leaders of the state against the People’s Democratic Party  (PDP) Thursday.

While the PDP assured that Chime would soon return, some leaders of the state under the aegis of the Save Enugu Group (SEG) said yesterday that they would urge the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Enugu State House Assembly if the lawmakers in the state failed to invoke the necessary sections of the constitution to resolve the growing impasse over Chime.

In a statement, the state chairman of the PDP, Vita Abba, enjoined the people not to take laws into their hands because of the vacuum created by Chime’s absence, stressing that the government under the acting Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, had done well to move the state forward.

He stated that the doubts and tension being raised over Chime’s absence were unnecessary, adding that there was no need for such.

Abba, also described as unnecessary the threat by the SEG to occupy the Government House over the development, stressing that it smacked of ignorance since they knew full well that there was a properly constituted House of Assembly and other arms of government saddled with the responsibilities of taking action in any event of such nature.

The position of PDP came as the SEG said it had perfected plans to pressure the National Assembly to take over the functions of the Enugu State Assembly if it failed to invoke the necessary sections of the constitution to resolve the crisis.

A statement by the group in Enugu yesterday warned that it would not give up on its demand for the categorical disclosure of the whereabouts of the governor, noting its plan to occupy Lion Building and compel the state House of Assembly to act.

But the PDP said: “Since the inception of the PDP-led government of Sullivan Iheanacho Chime in 2007, we have had challenges and tribulations. The first was when we lost at the lower election tribunal. To the good people of the state, it seemed then that the world had come to an end but by the grace of God we did overcome.

“In the recent past, during the 2011 elections, the PDP government under Sullivan Chime was brought to its knees during the tenure of Dr. Okwisilieze Nwodo as national chairman of PDP.  Through prayers, tremendous goodwill and call for justice by the people of Enugu State, we also overcame.

“Now, the governor’s vacation has brought another challenge to our government. I expect that the good people of Enugu State and Nigeria at large, should live up to the challenge once more believing that the governor will soon return to continue with his good works in the state.”

He continued: “We are not unaware that the recent development has given room for the opposition to go back to the trenches and have even gone to the extent of pronouncing the governor dead, in coma, incapacitated and what have you.

“In my honour as the PDP state chairman, I want to reassure the people of Enugu State that the governor will soon return to Enugu. We are therefore requesting patience, support and understanding as the government of Enugu State under the Acting Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, is doing its utmost best to satisfy the yearning of our people by providing the needed democracy dividend. It is worthy of note that despite the absence of the governor, various developmental projects worth billions of naira in the area of roads, water supply, electricity, education, health, housing among others are in progress.”

Abba said that the State Executive Council under the acting governor had awarded several contracts running into billions of naira and that such projects were ongoing.

But a statement by the coordinator of the group, Chief Willy Ezugwu, explained that “it is unfortunate that members of the state executive reportedly derided a letter the group wrote to the Acting Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, asking for details of the governor’s health”, noting that “the description of the letter written to the Acting Governor as a non-issue by Mr. Chukwudi Achife, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chime is a confirmation that there is something fishy about the governor’s absence.”

Ezugwu said: “Concerns are being expressed by some members of Chime’s cabinet about the magnitude of looting going on in the governor’s absence while those who have no direct mandate from the people have reportedly hijacked governance in the state because the governor failed to honour the constitution by formally handing over to his deputy.

“The state House of Assembly must perform its duty since those in the executive arm are playing ostrich. Our demands have not changed. The Assembly should cause the executive arm to make a categorical explanation on the whereabouts and status of our Governor, His Excellency, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime.

“It should also constitute a delegation which should include eminent Enugu State sons and daughters, like His grace, Bishop Callistus Onaga, Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Rev. Hyde Onuaguluchi, Prof. Bath 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 good people of Enugu State.”

The SEG’s statement further stressed that the group “will lead a sustained occupation of the Lion Building if no action is taken upon the expiration of its two weeks ultimatum and will subsequently demand the National Assembly to play its constitutional role.”

Ezugwu added: “What is at stake is the wellbeing of the four million people of Enugu State and not the personal interest of SEG or its leaders as the cronies of the governor want Nigerians to believe.”