A group by the name International Centre
for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) have come out to pure cold water on the
ashes of the picture circulated yesterday showing Governor Sullivan Chime of
Enugu with three other governors in London.
According to one of the officials of the
group who spoke with Editors of CKN Nigeria this morning, the picture was an
old picture taken way back before Sullivan fell ill.
This is the unedited report sent to CKN
Nigeria
“In an
apparent attempt to hoodwink the people of the state on the true state of
health of Governor Sullivan Chime, the Enugu State government sent out a photograph
of him and three other state governors, purportedly taken in London yesterday.
However, icirnigeria.org can authoritatively
reports that contrary to the impression given, none of the three other state
governors in the picture has visited him in hospital or been anywhere near
London - either yesterday, today or, in fact, in the last week or so.
The
picture which has been circulating on social media and in newsrooms across the
country for most of Tuesday has Chime flanked by Godswill Akpabio, governor of Akwa Ibom, Gabriel Suswam of Benue State and Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State all posing for the
shot.
The
picture was released apparently to put a lie to reports that Chime is sick and
in critical condition in a hospital abroad.
In the
background of the photograph can be seen a spread of snow on roof tops and atop
cars packed by the road side. All the state helmsmen are wearing winter clothes
in the picture.
A lady
whose name was given as Enoruo,
one of Chime’s media assistants, has been fingered as the source of the
photograph. Enoruo before now has sent press releases and
briefs to journalists on events in Enugu State, particularly on the state
governor.
She
sent the photograph to some journalists today with a caption indicating that it
was taken yesterday, Monday, January 21.
However,
our reporter found that none of the other governors was in London at the time
the photograph was purportedly taken. Aides of all three of them also denied
that their principal has paid a visit to their ailing colleague in any hospital
anywhere in the world.
Aides
of Amechi said that he has been in the United
States for a while and would by now be on his way to South Africa where the
African Nations Cup, AFCON,
is holding. Amechi,
his aides said, is the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the soccer
tournament.
Also,
we confirmed that governor Akpabio is in Nigeria. He was in Uyo yesterday when the photograph was
purportedly taken and is expected to be in Lagos as at the time this report
goes to press.
An aide
to Suswam, Francis Agbo, also denied that the Benue State governor was in London yesterday
or even recently. According to him, although Suswam just returned from a two – week
vacation, it was spent in Abuja and Dubai. The governor had been in Makurdi until today when he came into Abuja preparatory to a trip to Bayelsa tomorrow, Agbo said.
Concerns
have been expressed about Chime’s health as he has been away on medical
treatment since September last year. While the Enugu state government has repeatedly denied
that he is seriously ill, he is believe now to be in a London Hospital
receiving treatment for a heart or brain condition.
Before
stories surfaced about Chime ‘s treatment in London, it had been reported that
he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
However,
about a week ago a civil society group, Save Enugu Group, SEG, disclosed that Chime was
receiving treatment in a London hospital. Maxi Okwu, who spoke for the
group, accused theEnugu State
government of lying to the people of the state about the governor’s true health
condition, adding that he was lying ill at the Wellington Humane Hospital Swiss
Cottage, London.
The
group demanded an apology from the government for feeding the public with false
information while also asking for a broadcast to appraise the people of the
state of the truth about the governor’s health.
The
release of the picture is suspected to be the beginning of a media campaign to
sustain the lie that Chime is well and that there is no cause for alarm, A
national daily has published the photograph of the four governors purportedly
taken yesterday and claims to have spoken exclusively to Chime in London,
promising to provide details later.”
Tags
Politics
Governor Chime even looks sick in the picture. So, it's possible this pic was taken yesterday. I love him even though he's nt my gov. He's a fine gentleman and I pray for God's intervention in his health.
ReplyDeleteInstead of people to be praying for this fine gentleman to get well soon, all most of them are after is how to replace him for their selfish benefits. If he were to be related to them,thwy won't be making all these noise. May God have mercy and heal him. Amen.
ReplyDeletePls is it by force he shud stilb remain as governor if ones health is not okay 4 a task then their are other millions of people 4rm dat state 2 take his place let's know d truth plssssssss
ReplyDeleteDats is nt Governor Chime on de picture, If de man is dead let dem us oooooooooooh Biko nu
ReplyDeleteNigerians and the unended lust to hold on to power.... But we shld also consider the fact that his aides could be the ones keeping up wit the charade and lies if indeed they are.
ReplyDeleteI feel if the man is ill and unable to govern for 4months he shld hand over the reigns of power to his deputy. So that the pple do not suffer.
God help him and help us all
D pixs looks photoshoped,and d gov looks sick!what he needs is prayers 4rm us,his pple and country,not otherwise.we think of our own selfish interest @ d detriment of others,which is evil and bad.May d gud GOD grant u speedy recovery and guy health 2 shame d wicked ones
ReplyDeleteWhat will be will be, I pray 4 d quick recovery of Governor Chime, but is it that we have learnt Nothing from the Yaradua Saga? If the Governor is so sick and cannot carry on let his deputy step in, that is the decent thing to do. 4 Chime's Aides, you may stall as much as you can but what will be will be, you cannot stop what God has decreed!
ReplyDeleteCKN where did you get your own report about sporting the governor yesterday entering the supposedly hospital close to the bank where the Queen of England banks her money? please lets learn to be thorough in our report. we deserve an apology from you for making us believe you have an exclusive on the governors whereabouts.
ReplyDelete