I'm alive, will be back - says Chime

For the first time since he left the country 135 days ago, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, yesterday, opened up on his condition, saying he is in good health and will soon return to the country.

The governor spoke exclusively to Vanguard while receiving three governors, who visited him in London, United Kingdom where he is recovering after an illness.

Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State who constituted the delegation, separately attested to Chime's state of well being in telephone interviews with Vanguard. They said Chime was, yesterday, moving about, eating and in good health.

The visit of the governors followed unprecedented speculations on the state of Chime's health.

I'm very great- Chime
Governor Chime's declaration came as the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, rejected a call by prominent citizens of the state under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG) for the House to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity to enthrone the deputy governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi as acting governor.

Speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, Chime said: 'I am alive and well, I will be back very, very soon.'

Asked how he felt, the governor in a very strong, cheerful voice said:  'I am great, very, very great. Tell Nigerians to discountenance all the rumours about my health.'

Chime is in good shape - Amaechi

Speaking on Chime's health, Amaechi said: 'We saw him in an atmosphere of recovery. We were able to go out with him, he is in good shape and is getting ready to come back home very soon. We thank God for what He has done, how He has helped him to recover.'

He has recovered fully - Suswam

Also speaking, Suswam said: 'Chime has been discharged from the hospital. He  has recovered fully and is physically okay. I was impressed with what I saw. We walked around together, ate together and he is going about on his own.'

We must desist from wishing our leaders evil - Akpabio

Also speaking on their encounter with Chime, Akpabio said: 'He has recovered tremendously, I am very happy and I give glory to God. This our visit to him and the fact that he was able to speak with Vanguard has put paid to all the rumours. Nigerians should learn how to pray for their leaders instead of ganging up through NGOs and groups and wishing them evil. We are all human beings. As humans, we can break down anytime which means we should be sympathetic with our leaders when they face challenges whether health wise or security wise. We should pray for them instead of wishing them bad