Governor, Sullivan Chime,

Although, the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, duly transmitted a letter to the state House of Assembly for a consolidated leave which had commenced since September 19, the cause of his elongated leave has been shrouded in mystery, thus leading to various speculations. But much as Chime may have satisfied constitutional requirements, the people also reserve the right to know the whereabouts of their governor, writes Olawale Olaleye

Today makes it the 70th day that the Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, has been out of the state on the pretext of going on a consolidated leave. The governor who reportedly left the shores of the country on September 19, transmitted a letter to the state House of Assembly through the Speaker, Eugene Odoh, wherein he properly handed over power to his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, as required of him by the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The first phase of the leave, which commenced on September 19, was later extended when it was clear the governor could not make it back on the initial due date. And since then, the state government had remained silent on the development even as the deputy governor is said to have carried on with the demeanour that “all is well.” But all is not well. The governor, the man re-elected into office in 2011, is missing without any explanation whatsoever from those who should know his whereabouts.

No doubt, the constitution is clear on this. Section 190 (1)(2) of the constitution, as amended, stipulates that the deputy governor should take over if the governor is on leave or is unable to discharge the function of his office. Sub-section 1 reads: “Whenever the Governor is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly to that effect, and until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary, the Deputy Governor shall perform the functions of the Governor as Acting Governor.”

Subsection 2 reads further: “In the event that the Governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in sub-section (1) of this section within 21 days, the House of Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of the House, mandate the Deputy Governor to perform the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor, until the Governor transmits a letter to the Speaker that he is now available to resume his functions as Governor.”

In the same vein, Section 145 Sub-section II of the constitution as amended stipulates that the Vice-President becomes acting president if the President is not available for 21 days.

Sadly, what is currently playing out in the coal city looks like a story line in an American blockbuster- Dave- by Kevin Kline. A 1993 comedy-drama, Dave, was directed by Ivan Reitman, written by Gary Ross, and starred Kevin Klineand Sigourney Weaver. Other Hollywood acts like Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn, Ving Rhames, and Ben Kingsley, also appeared in supporting roles.

According to the plot, Dave Kovic (Kline), ran a temporary employment agency in Georgetown, and had a rather weird side job which was, impersonating the US President, Bill Mitchell (also Kline). He was the president’s exceptional look-alike. Suddenly, he was requested by Secret Service agent Duane Stevensen (Rhames) to make an appearance as the president at a hotel. Dave assumed it was a matter of security, but it really was a ploy to cover up Mitchell’s extramarital affair with a White House member of staff (Linney).
In addition to that, the president also wanted him to be representing him at some occasions that were merely ceremonial but not as just a representative but as the US president since the public could not really distinguish between both of them- not even the First Lady – Ellen Mitchell (Weaver). That was also easy because she lived a separate life and rarely saw her husband. It thus remained a security secret.

Unfortunately, Mitchell soon suffered a severe stroke during the liaison, leaving him in a coma. White House Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander (Langella) and Communications Director, Alan Reed (Dunn), convinced Dave to continue impersonating the president, obviously for selfish political motive and kept the real picture away from the public and other stakeholders. Only Alexander, Reed, the Secret Service, and the medical staff knew of the switch. They lied to Dave that the Vice President, Gary Nance (Kingsley), who should have naturally taken over was mentally unbalanced and had been sent on a tour of some African countries.

But there was more to the dangerous game. Alexander had planned that with time, the public would be notified that Mitchell had a “minor circulatory problem of the head” and Nance who had been sent on a goodwill tour of Africa would be implicated in a savings and loan fraud that Alexander and Mitchell perpetrated. Thus, once Nance is forced to resign, Alexander promised to nominate Dave as veepee, because with Mitchell declared incapacitated from a more serious stroke and Nance gone, Alexander would automatically ascend the presidency. He had that much influence and desperately sought to rule the most powerful nation in the world.

Unfortunately for him, Dave’s enthusiasm had revived Mitchell’s popularity in the country. He once visited a homeless shelter with the First Lady, who did not understand why he had suddenly taken an interest. At that point, Alexander became uncomfortable because he did not even want Dave any close to the First Lady, else, his plans might be punctured. He soon falsified Mitchell’s veto of a funding bill that included the shelter, ostensibly for budget reasons. After the First Lady had confronted Dave about the veto, Dave confronted Alexander, who told him that if he could cut $650 million from the budget, he can keep the shelter promise.

Dave, as a result, employed the service of his accountant friend, Murray Blum (Grodin), who helped him rewrite the federal budget so that the project may be reinstated. Suspecting that Dave was not really her husband, the First Lady tricked Dave into revealing the truth. And when she was shown her real Bill on life support in the White House basement, she and Dave decided to leave the White House because of the tide the game had begun to assume.

But after a night out, they realised they could actually work together and that strengthened the morale of Dave who soon forced Alexander to resign, now taking full control of the wheel. He also announced a plan to find a job for every American who wanted one. At this time, the veepee had returned from Africa and of course, confronted Dave about the savings and loan scandal. He also told the President that the jobs initiative was good, but that the scandal would make it difficult for it to be passed.

Determined to fight back, Alexander revealed the President’s involvement in the savings and loan scandal. In a joint session of Congress, Dave admitted to the President’s role in the scandal, but introduced evidence, proving that Alexander was the mastermind and that Nance was not involved in any way. Watching the session on TV with friends, Alexander knew his ally in the White House, Alan, had betrayed him.

Midway in his speech, Dave faked a stroke and a switch was made successfully with the real Mitchell in an ambulance enroute to the hospital. Nance automatically became the acting president and sworn in as President five months after Mitchell died. Alexander and other members of the Mitchell administration were indicted on various charges on the day the jobs initiative passed.

Apart from its corruption undertone, the story also revealed the degree of desperation and high-wire politics that go on behind the corridor of power even in advanced democracies, albeit Dave is pure fiction.

Yet, the Enugu Dave, Ellen, Alexander, Alan and others who are acting out a similar script have not deemed it needful to update the public on the state of Chime’s health because they are not only comfortable, other entrenched interests that could pose problems have also been adequately “contained”.

Thus, since the constitutional aspect has been so fulfilled and government is operating in full swing, those in power in Enugu did not believe the electorate are entitled to full disclosure on the whereabouts of their governor. They do not belong to the school that public officials do not have private lives and as such, issues of health, whether or not they have direct bearing with governance, remain a private thing.

Like in Dave, Onyecbuchi has begun to act true to type, subtly assuming and asserting the authority of his new office. A few weeks ago, he reportedly dissolved the board of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education (ENSUBEB) and also removed the Head of Service in the state, Mr. Dennis Eze. The impression being given now is that the absence of Chime has not in any way affected governance and which should be the primary concern of the people.

Their assumption notwithstanding, the people are worried. While some claimed that the governor had gone for treatment of a yet-to-be identified ailment abroad, others have made some unprintable allegations about his whereabouts. Some residents have even questioned the propriety of the governor’s prolonged absence from the state. This is where the people of Enugu need to cry out and inform the appropriate quarters of the development in the state.

Indeed, informed opinions say they should write a letter to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki; State Security Service (SSS) and the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji MD Abubakar, because by virtue of the Freedom of Information Act, they have a right to know and should seek explanation to the subterranean moves to seize power in the state. As far as this matter is concerned, Chime is missing and should be treated as such.

Clearly, there appears to be an underground cover-up on the governor’s whereabouts. It is also clear that some people in the state are up to some political mischief, hence the deafening silence surrounding the development. It is simply inexplicable that a governor has been out of the state for 70 days and no word yet from any quarters. Such an awful disregard for the right of the people to know, observers say, is only feasible in this part of the world. But they are of the opinion that the time has come for such practices to change in the collective drive for a better society

Source: www.thisdaylive.com/articles/the-missing-governor/131898/

Governor Sullivan Chime's Consolidated Leave and the Conspiracy Theorists
By Ambrose Agu



Folks,

Let us all calm down and re-examine this vacation matter.
Here are the facts. For five years and four months (that is since assuming
office on May 29, 2007), Governor Sullivan Chime had never taken a vacation. But
finally, on or about 20th September, 2012 Governor Chime left the shores of
Nigeria to vacation abroad. Before his departure, however, he had duly
transmitted a letter to the Enugu State House of Assembly through the Speaker
Eugene Odoh informing it that he was proceeding on a consolidated leave. Via
that correspondence he also properly handed over governance of Enugu State to
his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi. Having done all this Governor Chime fully
complied with the requirements of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria as amended.

Thereafter Sunday Onyebuchi became the Acting Governor of Enugu State and has
been acting very competently as such. Governance has been proceeding as usual
without any hitches. The Enugu State Government has continued to deliver
government services to the populace in a very prompt and efficient manner.
Governance has not suffered or slowed down in any way at all in Enugu State.
Acting Governor Onyebuchi had directed and all members of the Enugu State
Government understand that it is "FULL STEAM AHEAD", and as can be proven on the
ground, the Enugu State Government has been powering on impeccably as usual.

In the meantime Governor Chime is now on the 70th (or so) day of his
well-deserved vacation. Since then some well-meaning citizens have expressed
concerns (albeit uninformed). Of course the anti-Chime hate-cultists have also
sought to hijack the bandwagon, camouflaging their familiar hate and venom as
legitimate concern and constructive criticism. Be that as it may let us examine
the concerns which are essentially two-fold.

The first concern is that the number of vacation days that Governor Chime has
taken so far is extraordinarily too long. But is it really? What is "too long"?
First we must remember that for five years and four months (that is since
assuming office on May 29, 2007), Governor Chime had never taken a vacation. All
he had done for these last five years is work himself to the bone for Enugu
State. The evidence is everywhere. Just try and remember Enugu State as it was
five years ago and what it is now. To get from there to where we are now takes a
lot of hard work and many, many sleepless nights. This is what Governor Chime
has done for over five years. So can you imagine how tired the man is right now?
Having satisfied all constitutional requirements, and with a competent Acting
Governor in charge of Enugu state, do you not think that this Champion-Governor
deserves as much rest as he needs? Well, while you may think that"70 days and
counting" is "too long" for vacation for Governor Chime, some of us happen to
disagree. In fact we believe that he deserves as many more vacation days as he
is entitled to under the law, and not a day less.

And there is no dearth of historical precedent (from within or outside Nigeria)
of a state chief executive going on leave for more than 60 days. Erstwhile
Republican Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney is a good example. When Romney
was Governor of Massachusetts, he cumulatively spent more than a year (417 days)
out of the state. More than 70 percent of those 417 days was spent on vacations,
getaways, and personal trips unrelated to his job. In 2006 alone Romney spent
212 days out of his state — more than four days each week, on average. But
folks, Mitt was neither vilified then, nor were there any calls for his
impeachment. Why then do we now vilify and use the "I" word for our
Champion-Governor Sullivan Chime who for five years and four months worked very,
very hard for Enugu State without taking a vacation, just because finally he has
been resting and recuperating for approximately 70 days (not 212 days like
Romney) ?

Okay, do you want to talk about George W. Bush (LOL)! As President of the
greatest, strongest , nation in the history of the world, George W. Bush spent
32% of his presidency on vacation. George W. Bush was on vacation for 1,020 days
in an 8 year period. Folks, that is an average of 127 days of vacation per year.
If Governor Chime were to follow Dubya's example, then Governor Chime would be
entitled to 127 vacation days per year for those 5 years that he had not been on
vacation. Folks, following the Dubyan example, Governor Chime would be entitled
to 635 days of cumulative vacation! Yet we hiss and moan and use the "I" word
for our Champion-Governor Sullivan Chime just because, finally, he has been
resting and recuperating for approximately 70 days (after five years and four
months of working very hard for Enugu State without taking a vacation). Now,
what if George W. Bush were the Governor of Enugu State? What would you do then?

Even President Barrack Obama has been on vacation for more days in 3 years than
Governor Chime has been in 5 years! President Barrack Obama has been on vacation
for 78 days from 2009 to 2011 (3 years). But in contrast, Governor Sullivan
Chime has, so far, been on vacation for only 70 days from 2007 to 2012 (5
years). So President Obama has been on vacation for more days in 3 years than
Governor Chime has been in 5 years! But has there been any vilification of
President Obama or calls for his impeachment because of his 78 vacation days in
3 years? The answer is a resounding, a telling, a wise, and an informed "NO!"
Yet we froth and fume, twist and shout, and peddle the "I" word just because
our Champion-Governor Sullivan Chime finally took a vacation after five years
and four months of working so hard without taking a vacation. Is that fair?

Here in Nigeria, many other Governors have spent more time outside their states
than Governor Chime has. Some have even done this without handing over to an
Acting Governor as Governor Chime properly did. Take Kano State Governor, Malam
Rabiu Kwankwaso, as just one example. It is reported that his travel patterns
for the year 2012 reveal that he has spent 60% of the time outside his state. It
is also reported that for the months of February, March and April 2012, the
governor has traveled out of Kano for 52 days of the 90 days. The Governor is
also reported to have recently returned from a 20-day trip to the USA, but
shortly after his return he has left for Dubai and is yet to return. Now did he
hand over to an Acting Governor as Governor Chime properly did? No, he did not.
And we do not hear any "I" word being bandied after him? Yet some people are
already calling the police on Governor Chime just because he has been resting
for approximately 70 days after five years and four months of working so hard
without taking a vacation. And this after properly handing over the reins of the
state over to an Acting Governor as required by the Constitution! Is this
vilification fair?

Governor Chime's case is always different as is always the case of all
performers who leave a lot of bitter opponents in the dust. That is the only
reason why they vilify him now and flash the "I" word just because he has been
on vacation after five years of no vacation. But the bottom-line is that
Governor Chime's time out on vacation so far (70 days) is not extraordinary at
all. In fact it is mild compared to some of the examples we have cited. It is
also deserving considering that Governor Chime had not been on vacation for over
five years. It is also not illegal because he complied with all the dictates of
the Nigerian Constitution before proceeding on vacation. It is also not
irresponsible because he, in fact, handed governance of the State to a very
capable Acting Governor. There has been no vacuum, and governance has been
proceeding handsomely.

The other "concern" or more a point of agitation is an inexplicable and
obstinate insistence (especially by our resident anti-Chime hate cultists) that
the Enugu State Government announce immediately that Governor Chime is very ill
and undergoing medical procedures abroad.
The proponents of this "sick" theory are totally, vehemently, and almost
violently convinced that Governor Chime is very ill and undergoing medical
procedures abroad. But do they offer any proof of this at all. No! All they go
by is their "feelings" and "beliefs" and crazy rumours, of an alleged medical
situation.

These people are essentially incurable conspiracy theorists. They erroneously
believe that Governor Chime is very ill and that there is a cover-up of the
truth by Chime's aides. Their brain tells them that an evil group is behind the
whole thing, hiding the truth and milking the state dry in the process.
Unfortunately these conspiracy theorists will accept nothing short of an
immediate and total validation and confirmation of their fevered suspicions.
They want an immediate announcement by Government that Governor Chime is very
ill, even if this is a lie. These people reject the truth. They shun reality
and simply cling on to their small gods of rumour and conjecture.

But has the Enugu State Government not explained SEVERAL TIMES that Governor
Chime is quite simply on his consolidated annual leave? And that before
proceeding on his leave, and in strict compliance with the Nigerian
Constitution, he had duly handed over to his deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi who is
currently the Acting Governor, and who is fully in charge and has been
discharging the responsibilities of that office quite competently and
creditably? Has the Enugu State Government not reassured the people, SEVERAL
TIMES, that Governor Chime will return to his duty post after his vacation, even
as the Acting Governor has continued to effectively pilot the affairs of the
state?

Despite all these attempts at explaining the situation and reassuring the
people, some people just will not rest their brains until they hear something
bad about Governor Chime. Much like vultures they eagerly expect and even demand
an immediate announcement by the Enugu Stare Government that Governor Chime is
very ill and undergoing medical procedures abroad. Well, THERE WILL BE NO SUCH
ANNOUNCEMENT. This is because at the end of his vacation Governor Chime will
return to Enugu, ever more ready, ever more refreshed and ever more
reinvigorated to continue to deliver on his 4-Point Agenda for the
socio-economic development of Enugu State. End of story.

To our Champion-Governor please continue to enjoy your vacation. Please take as
many more vacation days as you are entitled to under the law, and not a day
less. You deserve it. We miss you, but be rest assured that Enugu State is
doing very well under Acting Governor Sunday Onyebuchi. May God keep you and
bring you back home safely!

To the conspiracy theorists, please rest your brains, or you could cause
yourself an aneurism!

To the good people of Enugu State. Thank you for your understanding. Our dear
Governor will soon be back. May God bless Enugu State!

Ambrose Agu

.

@ ambroseagu,

70 days out of how many days leave? how many days left? Is it an unlimited leave? Something seems wrong, and your defence is somehow laughable (LOL !)

The man dey enjoy is vacation.