ABUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, said it was deeply saddened that governors of Enugu and Taraba states, Sullivan Chime and Danbaba Suntai, have been away on health grounds. It also hailed party officials for holding sway for the period of their absence.

According to the party, for the fact that government activities are going on in these states, in spite of the absence of the two governors who have been out of the country since last year, is a manifestation that PDP governments have direction and is working in accordance with the party’s manifesto aimed at ensuring the welfare of the people.

In a statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party noted that it was sad for anyone to be ill and urged the people of the two states to continue to be united and support the PDP administrations in their efforts to ensure stability, peace and progress of their states.

Gov. Chime of Enugu State

Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State was last year involved in a plane crash in Adamawa State, while his Enugu counterpart, Sullivan Chime, is said to be sick and was recently visited by Governors Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom states in London.

The statement read:  ‘’The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commended the leadership of the party in Enugu and Taraba states, including the Acting governors, party chairmen, speakers of the Houses of Assembly, state caucus members, members of the National Assembly from the states, as well as government appointees in the states, for holding forth and ensuring smooth running of government affairs in the absence of their governors.

“The fact that government activities have been going on smoothly in these states shows that PDP governments have direction and focus, in line with the manifesto of the party to ensure the welfare of the people.

“We want to commend our party leadership and government officials in Enugu and Taraba states; the acting governors, speakers of the Houses of Assembly and other state caucus members and government appointees in these states for holding forth in the absence of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State who are out of the country for medical attention.

“The fact that government activities are going on smoothly without altercations shows that the PDP governments in these states and, indeed, across the country have direction and focus, which is to ensure the welfare of the people in line with our manifesto.

“The party is deeply saddened that the governors have been away for health reasons.  We thank the people of the two states for their steadfastness in praying for them. They will soon return to work.

“It is sad for somebody to be ill, but we are all human. So the party commends the people of Enugu and Taraba states for their understanding and steadfastness in praying for their governors. We commend them for the night vigils they held in seeking divine intervention for the governors. We know that God answers prayers and we believe that with all our prayers, the governors will soon be back.

“The  achievements made by Chime in developing his state stands out for him.  The party is satisfied with the manner state officials have continued to ensure that the tempo is sustained, even in the absence of the governor.”