Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned the poor handling of the reported illness of Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, saying it fits into the growing pattern of shrouding the health problems of elected officials in secrecy, a situation that raises concerns on the ruling party’s ability to advance the nation’s democracy rather than personal interests.
In a statement issued in Lagos released on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ahaji Lai Mohammed, ACN also criticised the choreographed visit to Governor Chime in London by a delegation of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), saying it was apparently designed to reinforce the line being peddled by governor’s supporters rather than inform people of the state on the true situation of events.
“We do not have details of what is wrong with Gov. Chime and honestly that is not the reason behind our intervention,” the party said in the release.
“Our concern is that the conspiracy of silence being perpetrated by the state governors who are reported to have taken ill and abandoned their duty posts, as well as their supporters especially the NGF does not serve the interest of our democracy.
“In the case of Gov. Chime, how can a man who is purportedly on vacation disappear for over 135 days and the people who voted him into office are not expected to ask questions? Does the constitution provide for such a long ‘vacation’ without consequences? Is Gov. Chime’s deputy, whom he reportedly handed over to, given enough latitude to adequately preside over the affairs of the state?”
ACN asked questions on how the governor’s absence has affected governance in the state, saying the unnecessary controversy has denied people of the state the dividends of democracy.
“These are the issues that should be of interest to all lovers of democracy, not the antics of some governors who are frittering away tax payers’ money by gallivanting to London to see Gov. Chime and thereafter releasing a picture
showing a ‘hale and hearty’ Chime dressed-up like a Soviet-era spook, which has now generated even more controversy.
“The governors said Chime is recovering well but did not say from what illness. They say he is in good shape but has not said why he has been away from his duty post for so long. If he is as hale and hearty as they claim, let him come home and end the endless controversy over his illness
”In any case, who made the governors the spokespersons for the people of Enugu state? Are they the ones who voted him into office? Do they really care how this whole controversy has affected governance in Enugu state? Is this the way democracy is run in other climes?”
The party argued that since any human being can take ill anytime, no one, especially public office holders, should be ashamed to admit his or her illness through a full disclosure and, if necessary, cede full power to those constitutionally empowered to take over.
“Nigeria and its democracy have yet to recover from the secrecy thrown around the illness of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and the anti-democratic antics of his ‘kitchen cabinet,” it recalled, saying “It is time we stopped this practice that only serves the purpose of those who are hell bent on clinging to power, not considering the interest of the people who voted them into office.”
