Security operatives are looking for the purveyor of the false news that Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime passed on yesterday [May 2]. An on-line publication posted on facebook the purported death of the governor in an Indian hospital.
The story caused anxiety in Enugu State and among Nigerians.
But yesterday, Chime had a busy day. Among other activities, he approved the appointment of 57 administrators for the 57 development areas of the state.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Amaechi Okolo, said the governor will inaugurate the administrators on May 8 at the Okpara Square, Enugu.
Security sources close to the Government House, Enugu told The Nation that the particulars of the person who posted the false information had been obtained.
The source said security agents were on the trail of the “satanic” author.
Chime, who was seen in Enugu on Wednesday, was said to have travelled to Abuja same day on an undisclosed mission.
Although he was not at the Workers’ Day ceremony, Chime hosted participants of the Senior Executive Course No. 35 of 2013 of the National Institute of for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State. Led by Mallam Kuru Adamu, the NIPSS scholars were hosted on Wednesday by Chime at the Government House, Enugu.
Information Commissioner Chuks Ugwuoke described the news as unfounded, saying the “governor is hale and hearty”.
A member of the opposition Save Enugu Group (SEG), Ray Nnaji, urged the public to ignore the rumour, which he said was posted by mischief makers. Nnaji, who was a commissioner in the former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani administration, regretted that those behind the rumour were toying with the life of the governor, adding that Enugu people would not be deceived again by such wicked rumours.
He said: “It is a taboo among the Igbo for people to wish one dead, even if the person is your enemy. These ugly rumours always peddled about our governor by mischief makers must stop. You cannot call that opposition, but mischief”.