Contrary to rumours making the rounds, the second time in less than six months, that Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has passed on, Sunday Independent reliably gathered that the governor is in London, presently receiving medical attention.
In the company of his brother, Governor Chime had early last week left Enugu through Akanu Ibiam Airport, for Abuja, from where he was flown to London.
While rumours spread like wildfire that the Enugu number one citizen had passed on, a member of his family told a South East governor in confidence that he was flown to London for medical attention.
The rumours reportedly emanated from a facebook posting that the governor passed on in an Indian hospital.
Although security operatives are said to be on the trail of the “facebook rumour-mongers”, Sunday Independentreliably gathered at the weekend that Chime is indisposed and in London presently, receiving medical attention.
The Enugu governor had embarked on a similar trip mid September last year, during which he spent his four months vacation, receiving treatment for cancer of the nose, known medically as nasopharyngeal cancer. He had duly handed over power to his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi, as acting governor, before leaving for the prolonged controversial vacation.
He returned to the country early February this year, with cheering news that doctors certified him cancer-free.
The governor has, however, scarcely featured in official functions since his return, a development that has created fresh anxiety over his condition of health.
Meanwhile, his latest trip seems to have left a vacuum in governance in the state, as the deputy governor is presently on leave.
Following the absence of both the governor and his deputy, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, represented the state government at the May Day celebration last Wednesday.
“Nobody can really say who is in charge now,” one source in Government House told Sunday Independent.