by Isi Esene

It has been revealed that the governor for Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, who is said to be receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment had undergone a heart surgery in 2005.

This bit of information was disclosed by some of his aides who declined to be named.

According to sources, the governor’s surgery was bankrolled by the then governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, who was said to have settled the bill to the tune of N7m.

Chime was commissioner for justice and attorney general of Enugu State from 1999 to 2007 when Nnamani was governor.

Sources say both individuals had had a close relationship since their days at the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, where they had their secondary education.

The former governor had disclosed this much during the 2011 electioneering campaign which pitted both of them on opposing sides.

Nnamani had said, “I recommended to him the doctor who should lead the team of surgeons when he gets to America. I did this for him when he complained to me and I noticed he was not feeling fine.”

Chime had been out of the country since September 20, as stated by the state commissioner for information, Chuks Ugwoke.

Unconfirmed reports say he is in a hospital in India where he is still undergoing treatment for Leukemia and renal failure.

The commissioner, who had in October insisted that Chime was observing an accumulated leave, and not undergoing medication, had, however, recanted.