Enugu governor’s return shrouded in secrecy

Category: News Published on Friday, 08 February 2013 05:00 Written by Fidelis Mac-Leva Abuja, Tony Adibe Enugu

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State yesterday returned to the country after over four and a half months of medical trip abroad which had taken him to the US and the United Kingdom.

Sources said Chime arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a British Airways flight from the United Kingdom at about 6:00 am.

However, by press time, his whereabouts remained unknown in Abuja in spite of efforts by the press and entreaties by curious individuals and groups to locate him.

Following reports of his return, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement saying it was overjoyed over Chime’s return.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday said: “We welcome the governor back and we thank God almighty for restoring him to good health in order to continue with the excellent work he is doing in Enugu State.”

From Enugu, our correspondent reports that there were high expectations among the citizens as they await governor Chime’s return to the State today. A source at the Government House confided in our correspondent that plans were underway for an elaborate reception for the governor in Enugu where top state government dignitaries, traditional rulers and other eminent personalities are billed to welcome him on arrival.

Daily Trust gathered that on arrival from the Airport, Chime was immediately taken to a private guest house in Asokoro to avoid over-crowding since state officials had anticipated that several people would come to the lodge to seek out the governor.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Information in Enugu State, Chuks Ugwuoke confirmed that the Governor had indeed returned to the country but could not give details on when he would get home to Enugu even with the mounting anxiety.