Information available to 247ureports.com through reliable sources at the Enugu State government house indicates that the Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime may have a bone to pick with the Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu family – to the extent that he has refused to attend the Enugu state festivities to mark the death of Ojukwu.
According to the information received, when the corpse of Ojukwu made its round to Enugu State and arrived the government house, the governor of Enugu State was not present to receive the corpse. The delegation which travelled with the corpse from Owerri to Umuahia – had to wait 3 hours at the governor’s office before the governor’s arrival. When the governor arrived, he made excuses that he was on a private call with President Goodluck Jonathan. The governor proceeded to receive the group. But the group was not pleased with the governor’s attitude towards Ojukwu. Following the governor’s unflattery recept of the delegation, the governor proceeded to boycott the official burial mass held by the Enugu State government.
It is uncertain why the attitude of the Enugu Governor appears somewhat negative towards the burial of Ojukwu but it was observed that Gov Sullivan Chime has not been in attendance at any of the burial events across the country. It is recalled that the Ojukwu family had rebuffed the choice candidate selected by the Enugu State governor to occupy the slot of Deputy Chairman for the National Coordinating Committee for Ojukwu’s burial. Gov. Chime had selected Jim Nwobodo.
Meanwhile, the President of Nigeria who was previously scheduled to be in attendance of the Enugu State festivities, was reported to have changed his plans. He declined the Enugu State visit citing improper planning by the state governor in assuring adequate security. The President will be attending the Friday burial at Nnewi.
