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Tag: Chime

  • Chime inaugurates governor’s office

    Chime inaugurates governor’s office

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime yesterday inaugurated the new multi-billion naira governor’s office at Government House, Enugu.

    Commissioning the edifice, Chime said it was constructed to ease the work and operations of the incoming administration.

    He said the building would make the environment conducive for workers in government house to enhance their productivity.

    “We want to build a permanent office for the incoming governor. We have looked at things and we felt it will be a lot cheaper and easier to build an office like this.

    “Today, it pleased God to have us commission and use it as office of the governor. It is my prayer that this building will serve its purpose,” Chime said.

    Residents commended Chime for constructing the building within a short period.

    The Enugu State Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo said the building, which he described as ‘state of the art edifice’ would promote the legacies of Chime’s administration.

    Reports said the building was completed within five months to the end of Chimes’ tenure.

  • ‘Virement’ not unconstitutional, says Chime

    The Enugu State Government has dismissed as baseless and legally untenable, allegations by some members of the State House of Assembly loyal to the former Speaker, Eugene Odoh, that the government breached the constitution when it applied the process popularly known in the public service as “virement” to reallocate funds in the 2012 budget.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Sullivan Chime, Chukwudi Achife said those making the allegations were either ignorant of the law and the facts surrounding the matter, or were merely blackmailing the government for ulterior reasons.

    Achife contended that there was nothing unconstitutional about virement, more so when the House had approved the adjustments made by the executive in that year’s budget.

    The CPS said after the 2012 appropriation bill was signed into law, government saw reasons to reallocate and duly, by way of a supplementary bill, applied to the House for approval.

    The CPS said the supplementary bill, which neither added nor removed any money from the original budget of N76. 4 billion was approved by the House, adding that the executive also reflected the supplementary bill in the 2013 budget, which the House passed without question.

    He said: “It is shocking that legislators could claim that a supplementary bill, which they had passed, was forged even when the Bill is a public document that anyone can access.

    “It must be emphasised that not one kobo was added or removed from the original budget, the supplementary budget was basically an application to reallocate funds within the original budget as had been passed by the House. How it becomes unconstitutional certainly defies reason and the law”.

    Achife urged the public to discountenance such false claims, noting that some ‘habitual detractors of the Governor who had been championing the claims, would be disappointed to learn that they have been dissipating energy unnecessarily’.

     

     

  • Why House wanted me impeached, by Chime

    Why House wanted me impeached, by Chime

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has explained that some members of the state House of Assembly wanted him impeached because he refused to yield to their financial demands.

    He said the allegation of impropriety against him was false, as the issue for which they moved against him was a loan for the development of the state.

    He said: “They felt the administration was coming to an end and it is time for them to make money. They came shamelessly and said that I should give them money. They thought I was asking for the loan as a parting gift. This nonsense started when they could not get me to give them money outside their allowances.”

    He was reacting to the impeachment notice he was allegedly served by the House. Just less than three weeks to its last sitting, some members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, to the chagrin of residents woke up as early as 4:00 a.m. on Monday and marched to the Assembly Complex located at the Independence Layout for the day’s legislative business. What surprised the entire people of the state was the timing of the sitting–the wee hours when the first cock crows.

    The legislators who were led by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Eugene Odoh (who was later impeached) included the suspended House Leader, S.K.E. Ude Okoye, Okechukwu Nwoke, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, Elochukwu Ugwueze, Iloabuchi Aniagu, Nze Michael, Onyeze Anichukwu, John Nwankwo, Theresa Egbo, Nkechi Omeje Ogbu, Chika Eneh, Mathias Ekweremadu, Paul Okechukwu Ogbe, Anthony Ogidi and Nelson Uduji.

    The reason for sitting at an unusual hour of the day was principally to pre-empt another group of the legislators, said to be loyal to the governor that planned to sit and use the platform to dissociate themselves from the N11 billion loan saga between the House and the governor.

    Governor Chime had, last year, requested the House to approve for the executive a loan of N11billion for the execution of some ongoing and new projects. The House, in November last year, approved the loan which was put to use.

    Governor Chime explained that the bank which granted the loan requested some further additional endorsement from the House.

    The leadership of the House capitalised on the bank’s request to get a “parting gift” from the governor. They insisted that they must be given some amount of money before they would give their approval. But the governor stood his ground, insisting that he was not going to tamper with public funds because he could not account for any money taken from it.

    Angered by the governor’s refusal to yield ground, some of the members, led by the then Speaker, started some manoeuvers to arm-twist the governor into yielding to their demand. They started investigating the various ministries and parastatals of the state, particularly those that have much to do with finance.

    The commissioners were summoned one after the other to be “interrogated” by members of the House.

    Among those summoned was the Accountant-General of the state, Paschal Okorie who was asked to explain why the executive has refused to release monthly subventions to the House and other ministries since March. After his appearance, he was asked to submit to the House records of funds received and disbursed from April this year.

    The House, during the period, also alleged a contract scam at the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB) and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe activities of the board. But the EFCC did not see any merit in that direction.

    All these were part of the arm-twisting tactics that the governor refused to yield to which led to the build-up of Monday’s action which claimed Speaker Odo’s position.

    At their early morning sitting on Monday in the absence of the Clerk of the House, they commenced the process of impeaching Governor Sullivan Chime. After forcing their way into the Assembly premises by overpowering security men, they made for the office of the Clerk of the House and broke into it and took the Mace.

    Among the allegations leveled against the governor was the issue of allegedly forging the N12 billion 2012 Supplementary Budget.

    They also accused the governor of allocating reserved government lands to members of his family and some individuals for erection of private houses, especially within the three-arm zone and seriously condemned the act.

    The impeachment notice was signed by 14 members of the House, including the Speaker. The Clerk of the House; Christopher Chukwurah was directed to serve the notice on the governor immediately.

    At the sitting, the anti-Chime legislators suspended the Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, nephew of the governor, who was recently elected to represent Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Emeka Ogbuabor and Deputy House Leader, John Kevin Ukwuta for alleged anti-House activities.

    The Speaker and the 13 members arrived at the House at 4:00 a.m. but were able to enter the legislative chamber at 6:28 a.m. and held the sitting after fierce altercation with the police.

    The lawmakers had complained that the governor was using some members of the House to disrupt its activities because they refused to approve the N11 billion loan requested by the governor.

    Immediately after their sitting which lasted for 30 minutes, another group of eight legislators; led by the Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, including the Deputy Governor-elect, Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo walked into the chamber with another mace and conducted another sitting. Another member, Joseph Agbo Ugwumba who represents Enugu East Rural, later joined them.

    After a short prayer, Hon. John Kevin Ukwuta moved a motion to the effect that Hon. Johnbull Nwagu who was suspended by the House be recalled. The motion was seconded by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba.

    The pro-Chime lawmakers, however, lifted the suspension slammed on Nwagu for misconduct and invited him to join the group bringing their number to nine.

    Ukwuta, thereafter, moved another motion calling for the suspension of the Speaker, Eugene Odoh and seven other members in his group, who included Anichukwu Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwoke, Paul Ogbe, Nze Michael Onyeze, Theresa Egbo, Chika Eneh and S.K.E. Udo-Okoye. The motion was approved by the nine members.

    The principal officers among the suspended members were also stripped of their positions and benefits.

    Ukwuta further moved for the nomination of other colleagues to fill the vacancies created by the suspension. He nominated Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East State Constituency to be sworn in as Speaker of the House.

    The motion was approved by other members and Chinedu Nwamba was sworn in as Speaker by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Chukwurah, who was present throughout the nearly one hour sitting.

    Nwamba thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him to preside over the affairs of the House as Speaker. He directed the Clerk of the House to inform the governor of the decision of the House.

    The group also elected Donatus Uzoagbado, Oji River Constituency as Leader of the House and Hon. Emeka Ogbuabo as Chief Whip of the House to replace the suspended principal officers.

    Ukwuta informed the lawmakers of the letter written by the State Attorney-General, Anthony Ani, informing the lawmakers that they had no powers to investigate the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB), saying the freezing of the account of the board was a legislative recklessness.

    He said the members of the House should be seen as lawmakers and not law-breakers. He therefore moved a motion that the freezing of the account of the ESUBEB was erroneously done and should be lifted immediately.

    Hon. Emeka Ogbuabo seconded the motion, saying the House erred by freezing the account of the board, stressing that the petition against the chairman of the board was not properly handled.

    They subsequently lifted the order freezing the account of the board and directed that the account be immediately de-frozen, while the board was asked to continue dealing with the chairman of ESUBEB.

    At 7:50 a.m., the House adjourned sine die and the factional Speaker, Hon. Nwamba directed the police officer in charge of the House security to ensure that nobody was allowed into the Assembly till further notice.

    Reacting to the said impeachment notice by the suspended Speaker’s group Governor Chime said: “These are just people, characters who are frustrated for not getting what they bargained for. I know what they are doing will not see the light of the day but I want my defence to see the light of the day.”

    The governor, who appeared unruffled by the unfortunate development said in the first place they are not up to two thirds majority and the timing was not in their favour.

    He asked: “Please who are they investigating? Is it me or Gburugburu who is coming in as the governor in a few days time?”

    Chime dismissed the N12 billion supplementary budgets alleged to have been forged by him in 2012 and displayed the signed and published document.

    “All they want to create is the impression that I have been milking this state dry,” he said, adding, “and the issue of the said forged supplementary budget happened when I was ‘dead’. When you people (press) reported that I was dead. I am hearing this allegation of forgery for the first time today.”

    On the issue of the N11billion loan, Chime explained that the loan was already in use based on the approval by the House in November last year. Displaying the resolution of the House dated November 18, 2014, the governor said: “This is the resolution approving the loan by the House of Assembly.”

    The governor further said: “They felt the administration was coming to an end and it is time for them to make money. They came shamelessly and said that I should give them money. They thought I was asking for the loan as a parting gift. This nonsense started when they could not get me to give them money outside their allowances.

    “I won’t give them any money. It is public money. I can’t account for it. And I have no regrets for what I am doing.”

  • ‘We didn’t serve Chime any impeachment notice’

    ‘We didn’t serve Chime any impeachment notice’

    The Enugu State House of Assembly has denied serving Governor Sullivan Chime any notice of impeachment.

    A statement by the Clerk, Mr. Christpher Chukwurah, said the House neither moved the motion nor was he directed to serve any impeachment notice on the Governor.

    Fifteen lawmakers, who had reportedly passed a resolution to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor, have also denied the existence of any impeachment notice.

    “During our meeting with the governor-elect, he asked for a copy of the notice of impeachment against the governor and everyone denied having signed such document,” a lawmaker said.

    Chukwurah’s statement reads: “I write to inform Your Excellency that the Enugu House of Assembly never moved any impeachment motion, not to mention directing the Clerk to serve any notice of impeachment to His Excellency Sullivan I. Chime, the Governor of Enugu State.”

    Chime said he did not receive any notice from the House and dismissed the allegations reportedly made by some of the lawmakers against him as “as baseless, barefaced lies borne out of malice and mischief”.

    The two factions agreed to maintain a two-week moratorium to seek a resolution of the issues between them.

  • Chime swears in council boss

    EnuguState Governor Sullivan Chime has sworn in a chairman for Igboeze Local Government.

    He is Celestine Ezeugwu who, until his appointment, was the deputy to the former Chairman of Igboeze North, Bonaventure Onu.

    Onu was impeached by the council’s legislature.

    The governor urged the chairman to render quality service.

  • Chime presents 2015 budget proposal to Assembly

    Chime presents 2015 budget proposal to Assembly

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has presented the 2015 Appropriation Bill of N96.735 billion to the House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

    Presenting the budget in Enugu yesterday, Chime said the “Budget of Transition’’ had a capital proposal of N54.9 billion, while N41.7 billion was for recurrent expenditures.

    The appropriation is three per cent higher than the 2014 figure of N93.7 billion or an increase of N2.98 billion.

    A breakdown of the figure shows that works and infrastructures got the highest allocation of N14.9 billion for the settlement of liabilities to contractors to complete projects, especially in urban and rural roads rehabilitation.

    “The new state secretariat and the Lion Building will be completed and furnished. Education has an allocation of N6.1billion, health, N4.9 billion, agriculture, N4.3 billion and water resources, N2.9billion.

    “The free maternal child care programme has saved lives and translated to the reduction of maternal mortality in our health facilities.

    “No effort will be too much to provide affordable and improved healthcare services to our people and that is why we are making efforts to complete the state diagnostic centre,’’ Chime said.

    Reviewing the 2014 budget, he said it was anchored on the government’s four-point agenda with the Visit Every Community document as compiled from the needs of the 472 communities in the state.

    The governor said his administration was committed to hand-over completed projects to the incoming administration, as 332 kilometres of roads were embarked on with 295 completed in Enugu and Nsukka.

    Chime said his administration built a heliport for the police to ensure security of lives and property, while contract had been awarded to extend electricity to the remaining communities.

    On health, the governor said the government spent more than N3 billion to rehabilitate 70 general hospitals and 150 other health facilities.

  • Alleged libel: Chime loses appeal

    Alleged libel: Chime loses appeal

    ENUGU State Governor, Sullivan Chime, .has lost the N1.5 billion libel suit he instituted against his opponent in the 2007 governorship election. His bid to have the decision of a Lagos High Court judge, Justice Kkazeem Alogba, absolving Okechukwu Ezea and The Guardian Newspaper of libel, overturned, was dismissed by the Court of Appeal yesterday.

    The Appeal Court also awarded N30, 000 cost against Chime. .Justice Alogba had dismissed Chime’s application and awarded N100, 000 cost in favour of the defendants, prompting the governor to institute an appeal.

    Through his lawyer, Gbolahan Elias (SAN), Chime had urged the Appeal Court to set aside the trial court’s judgment and allow his appeal. But in a judgment delivered by Justice Rita Pemu, the appeal panel .held that the appeal lacked merit and cannot be sustained. Justice Pemu affirmed the lower court’s decision that the appellant failed to prove that Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements.

    The judge held that the appellant attached no weight to the Vanguard newspaper publication on the grounds that Vanguard, unlike the Guardian Newspapers limited, was not sued as the printer and publisher of the defamatory statements. In a unanimous decision, the appellate court held that the appellant (Chime) ought to have called witnesses that attended the press conference where the defamatory statement was allegedly uttered.

    The court held that Chime is not even the person who ought to have instituted the suit, since the alleged text massage was not sent to his phone. It upheld the submission of Ezea, made through his lawyer Joseph Nwobike (SAN), and dismissed the appeal.. The governor, had in his appeal, submitted that the lower court erred in law when it held that the appellant failed to prove that Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements complained of at the Abuja press conference on August 7, 2007.

    He submitted that the lower court erred when it held that the words published in The Guardian newspaper were incapable of defaming the appellant. But, in his argument, Nwobike submitted that the lower court was right when it held that the appellant failed to prove that the first respondent actually uttered the words complained of at that press conference. He submitted that the appellant did not adduce evidence at the lower court to support his allegation.

    Nwobike argued that the lower court found that the words complained of, even if interpretable to be defamatory, did not actually lower the appellant’s estimation in the minds of rightthinking members of the society or disparage him in his office or political standing. In the substantive suit, Chime had alleged that Ezea, in a press conference held in Abuja in August, 2007, accused him of wanting to kill him (Ezea), demanding N1 billion from Ezra and N500,000 from the newspaper as damages.

  • Alleged libel: Chime loses appeal

    Alleged libel: Chime loses appeal

    Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime ‎has once again lost the N1.5 billion libel suit he instituted against his opponent in the 2007 governoshiip election.

    His bid to have the decision of a Lagos High Court judge, Justice Kkazeem Alogba absorbing Okechukwu Ezea and The Guardian Newspaper of libel, overruled was dismissed by the Court of Appeal Friday.

    The Appeal Court also awarded N30,000 cost against Chime.

    Justice Alogba had dismissed Chime’s application and awarded N100, 000 cost in favour of the defendants, prompting the governor to institute an appeal.

    ‎Through his lawyer, Gbolahan Elias (SAN), Chime has urged the Appeal Court to set aside the trial court’s judgment and allow his appeal.

    But in a judgment delivered by Justice Rita Pemu, the appeal panel ‎held that the appeal lacked merit and cannot be sustained.

    Justice Pemu affirmed the lower court’s decision that the appellant failed to prove that Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements.

    The judge held the appeallant attached no weight to the Vanguard newspaper publication on the grounds that Vanguard unlike the Guardian Newspapers limited was not sued as the printer and publisher of the defamatory statements.

    In a unanimous decision the appellate court held that the appellant (Chime) ought to have called witnesses that attended the press conference where the defamatory statement was allegedly uttered.

    The court held that Chime is not even the person who ought to have instituted the suit since the alleged text massage was not sent to his phone. It upheld the submission of Ezea made through his lawyer Joseph Nwobike (SAN) and dismissed the appeal.‎

    The governor had in his appeal submitted that the lower court erred in law when it held that the appellant failed to prove that Ezea (first respondent) uttered the defamatory statements complained of at the Abuja Press Conference on August 7, 2007.

    He submitted that the lower court erred when it held that the words published in The Guardian Newspaper were incapable of defaming the appellant.

    But, in his argument, Nwobike submitted that the lower court was right when it held that the appellant failed to prove that the first respondent actually uttered the words complained of at that Press Conference.

    He submitted that the appellant did not adduce evidence at the lower court to support/ substantiate his allegation.

    Nwobike argued that the lower court found that the words complained of even if interpretable to be defamatory did not actually lower the appellant’s estimation in the minds of right thinking members of the society or disparage him in his office or political standing.

    In the substantive suit, Chime had alleged that Ezea in a Press Conference held in Abuja in August 2007, accused him of wanting to kill him (Ezea), demanding N1 billion from Ezra and N500, 000 from the newspaper as damages. The governor in his statement of claim averred that his personal and leadership reputation had been seriously damaged, adding that he had suffered considerable distress and embarrassment.

    But Ezea has denied publishing or uttering defamatory material against Chime insisting that it could be the governor who did it himself in order to score cheap political point.

    The former governorship aspirant described the suit as frivolous and an abuse of court process and urged the court to dismiss it with substantial cost.

    Ezea in his statement of defence contended that the press conference was called to intimate the press about the developments at the Enugu Election Petitions Tribunal and other matters connected to it.

    He added that he merely explained to the reporters the events which occurred between July and early August 2008, between Chime and himself, just as he denied sending the alleged text message.

    Ezea revealed that between July and August 6, 2007, Governor Chime allegedly visited his residence at 4, Iyienu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, in company of several persons twice.

    He alleged that when Chime visited at about 9pm, he allegedly threatened to send him to prison and deal with him if he failed to withdraw his petition within seven days.

     

  • Senate race: Suswam, Chime, Imoke, other govs may lose out

    Senate race: Suswam, Chime, Imoke, other govs may lose out

    After a three-hour meeting, President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) conceded automatic tickets to 40 out of 72 PDP Senators to return to the Red Chamber.

    The President and the PDP will however engage the governors of the party to allow experienced Senators to come back in 2015.

    Jonathan said it pays the nation to have built a stronger legislature than starting afresh all the time.

    But governors interested in picking their successors might not be given senatorial ticket.

    With the development, some governors may lose out of the senatorial politics.

    The governors are Sullivan Chime (Enugu West already conceded to Ekweremadu); Suswam (Benue North-East where Gemade may be retained); Liyel Imoke now to accept Victor Ndoma-Egba for Cross River Central instead of a new candidate); and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta South now conceded to the incumbent, James Manager).

    According to a Senator from the South-East, the session at the Presidential Villa was a frank session with all the sides allowed to air their views.

    The source said: “Led by the President of the Senate, Chief David Mark, about 60 of us attended the meeting at the Villa. The President was there with the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu, and his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali.

    “Every Senator was allowed to speak his or mind on the political developments in the state, the ward congresses and the challenges of re-election.

    “We told the party that to emulate the practice in the US and other developed democracies where experience counts.

    “Senators also asked the party not to allow too many outgoing and former governors because only a few of them are resourceful. They always come to the session to drink tea.

    “After each Senator’s submission, the President of the Senate, Chief David Mark justified why experienced Senators should be retained.”

    The source quoted Mark as saying: “The Senate has been very supportive and it has shown maturity on challenging issues facing the nation.

    “You and the party should allow us to have our tickets back because we have not betrayed the party.”

    The President said: “Left to me, it pays the nation for us to build the institution of legislature. The more they come back to the Senate, the better they are.

    “I know it is not possible for all of you to come back, but if we have a reasonable percentage returning to the Senate, it is better for our  democracy.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There and then, we harmonized the list of experienced Senators who should be allowed to  return.

    “But with a caveat that the PDP leadership will engage governors to show understanding and allow those given automatic concessions to have their way. The party was directed to remind all aspirants that any ticket or slot is its prerogative.

    “We also reached a consensus that governors interested in imposing their successors should forget senatorial tickets “To avoid rancour, there may not be senatorial primaries where concessions had been granted.

    “The PDP leadership was mandated to go and consider the modalities of giving these Senators their return tickets. But certainly with the concession, the party has sent a subtle message to other aspirants.

    Based on the harmonized list, those who may return are as follows: The President of the Senate, Chief David Mark;  the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu;  Ahmed Makarfi, Nenadi Esther Usman, Smart Adeyemi, Atai Idoko-Ali, Barnabas Gemade, Barth Nnaji, Pius Akinyelure, Boluwaji Kunlere, Philip Aduda, Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Uche Chukwumerije.

    The list includes the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba; Bassey Otu, Benedict Ayade, Zainab Kure, Simon Ajibola, Adeseun Ayoade Ademola, Agboola Hosea Ayoola, Emmanuel Bwacha, Umar Abubakar Tutari and Suleiman Adokwe.

    Also enjoying concession are Maccido Muhammad Ahmed, Abdullahi Danladi, Hassan Abdulmumin, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, James Manager, Emmanuel Pualker, Heineken Lokpobri, Tukur Bello, Hassan Barata, Lidani Joshua, Alkali Saidu Ahmed, Andy Uba, Margery Okadigbo, Magnus Odion Ugbesia, Garba Gamawa Babayo and Adamu Gumba.

    The session was, however, not without drama on how the party will handle some states like Benue, Akwa Ibom and Anambra states.

    The source added: “When Senator Aloysius Etuk stood up from Akwa Ibom on his fate, there was a pin-drop silence and the party’s National  Chairman was careful in saying: ‘We are looking into it.”

    As for Senator Nurudeen Abatemi Usman, the party chairman also said: “We have not yet consider this district.”

    Concerning the rivalry between Governor Gabriel Suswam and Chief Barnabas Gemade on Benue North-East, Muazu simply said: “We are looking into it to resolve all issues amicably.” But everyone agreed that Gemade should get the slot as a former National Chairman of the PDP.

    Regarding the cold war between Senator Margery Okadigbo and  ex-Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, for Anambra North, it was  directed that Okadigbo be allowed to retain her seat having just spent  two years in the Upper Chamber.”

  • The Chime mystique and Enugu politics

    The Chime mystique and Enugu politics

    NOBODY knows how Governor Sullivan Chime does it. His supporters see it as a divine gift while his opponents remain confused. Others consider it the mark of a genius. The governor seems to know exactly how and when to throw his opponents off balance even without saying or seeming to do much. He has done it so many times in the seven plus years of his helmsmanship in Enugu State that books can be dedicated to it.

    Amidst the usual braying of his opponents, Chime would strike with such feline agility and leonine audacity as would not only disorganise his foes but send them stretching to regain balance.

    Two events that occurred in Enugu between the 25th and 27th of September this year, stand as significant cases in point. First was the breathtaking grand rally he organised in the state to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid. The rally not only broke all records in terms of attendance and glamour, but made similar rallies held before and after it look like mere get-togethers.

    Describing the rally, The Sun wrote; “The day was one the whole state literarily stood still for one person: President Jonathan, courtesy of Governor Sullivan Chime who is the brain behind EMJ. On D-Day, no one was left out: the old and the young, the high and the low, the elite and the ordinary folks.  They came in their large numbers and emptied into the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to join Chime and other eminent personalities from the state and beyond that the EMJ had gathered for the rally. Early in the morning, hundreds of metres away from the stadium, one needed not to be told that something spectacular was taking place in the city. In the stadium, people competed for space and the place looked like a sea of human heads”.

    Of the same rally ThisDay also wrote; “While the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) championed the just concluded zonal rallies in the six geo-political zones of the country, the Enugu version was entirely different. It was put together by an organisation conceived and packaged by Governor Sullivan Chime. It was the handiwork of the Enugu Movement for the Re-Election of Jonathan (EMJ).

    “The group which was just about two-weeks old as at the time the mega rally was organised took the entire state by surprise. It is said to have put together the rally, considered the first of its kind in the state, to the extent that it recorded more success compared to the appreciation rally organised in honour of the President by the five states of the South-East earlier in the year. Indeed, the 22,000 capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, venue of the event, was filled up, with twice the number of those outside. Thousands of people from the 17 local government areas and 260 wards temporarily relocated to the state capital”.

    The newspapers also reported that a visibly overwhelmed Vice President Namadi Sambo who stood in for President Jonathan had said in response, “I quite agree with all those who said that there is no need for further campaign in Enugu, the crowd has said it all”.

    It was needless to say that the sheer magnitude and success of the rally left Chime’s opponents in panic and disarray. Hurried, harried, hollow and ultimately fruitless efforts were made through paid writers to “demystify, deflate, deconstruct, and discredit (all terms used by the writers)” the rally. But it was too late; the train had left the station. All the lies told about Chime prior to the rally, and their bearers, were mercilessly exposed.

    That Chime was the man in Enugu State became all too clear. The fact that every political figure and personage in Enugu State, except one apparently disappointed prominent federal lawmaker attended the rally; left no one in doubt as to who held the steering wheel in Enugu politics. Indeed, Chime drove in the final nail when he said, much to the discomfiture of pretenders that; “Anyone who is absent at this rally cannot really claim to be supporting President Goodluck Jonathan.” Former Senate President Ken Nnamani also assured the President that the matter was “closed and nothing else can be done that would be better or bigger than what we have done here today”.

    The second sucker punch from Chime was the emergence of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate of the PDP in Enugu State for the 2015 gubernatorial elections. While others may have preferred to defer the issue to latter days because of its potentially explosive nature, Chime masterfully decided to take it head on before dealing with others. It must be emphasised that the choice of Ugwuanyi was not Chime’s but that of the PDP in the state. The governor’s role was just to set the stage and let the party stakeholders do the rest. In this respect, he called a meeting of party stakeholders in Enugu North Zone (to which the party had earlier ceded the guber slot), introduced the issue and sat back to listen. At the end, the Enugu North party men and women, including guber aspirants, unanimously chose Ugwuanyi.

    The governor thereafter summoned meetings of Enugu West and Enugu East zones which also quickly endorsed the decision of their Enugu North counterparts. It was a process that went so smoothly that opponents were completely flustered. However, they did again return, albeit in futility, to the media to try and salvage what little is left of their pride. But the harm has been done.

    Adife is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime.