The Nsukka people have since the inception of Chime’s administration been crying of marginalisation, claiming they are not adequately represented in the government even when they have over 40 per cent of the population of the state.
To buttress their point, the people had pointed to the lopsidedness in the appointment of permanent secretaries in the state whereby the governor’s native Udi had 11 while Nsukka had eight.
Daily Sun reliably gathered that the former Information Minister, Nwodo (Jnr), a prominent leader in the Nsukka zone had when he became the Enugu Centenary Committee chairman tabled the plight of his people before Governor Chime.
But as Chime could not address the issue, the rift between the former minister and the governor spread to the entire family, as the Nwodo family is a closely knit one.
With the Nwodos, whose brother is the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, falling out with Chime, many in Enugu believe that this will negatively rub off on Chime’s governorship ambition in 2011 as a new opposition building up in the Nsukka axis may decide to revolve around the family.
Feelers that the rift between Nwodo and the governor was getting out of hand were rife when in the penultimate week, the governor was said to have ordered that the operational Centenary vehicle given to Nwodo be returned.
With the problem deepening, Daily Sun gathered that some personalities in Enugu State intevened and tried to reconcile Governor Chime and the Nwodos, with the last being a meeting called at the instance of the Catholic Bishop, Calistus Onaga in his Independence Layout, Enugu residence last Friday, October 15, where Chime was said to have used abusive words on Nwodo (Jnr).
A close source told Daily Sun that it was after the Friday meeting that Nnia Nwodo decided to call it bluff with the governor so as to stand on a better pedestal with his people on the “marginalisation war.”
In his letter of resignation dated October 18 and addressed to the Secretary to the state government, Nwodo said he was quitting based on fundamental differences between him and Governor Chime.
His letter read in part: “Due to fundamental differences between the state governor and myself, I regret to inform you of my decision to resign forthwith as chairman of Enugu Centenary Committee.
“Please also acknowlegde receipt of Nissan Teana car which the state government made available to me to use in the said office. This car is also being returned to you with this letter.
“I am sending copies of this letter to the Deputy Chairman, Msgr. Obiora Ike and the Secretary, Mr Vin Martin Ilo who will forward to you a comprehensive report of all activities and undertakings of the committee.”
The Enugu Centenary Committee was inaugurated early last year by Governor Chime to celebrate 100 years of existence of Enugu with the mandate to showcase the great potentials of the former capital of eastern region.
The Enugu Centenary last May ended its celebration with the intangible things while the committee had an extended time in which to complete the tangible projects such as the renovation of the old eastern House of Assembly, the old Premier’s Lodge, the Centenary Tower, among others, which would form the future hallmarks of the celebration.
When contacted, the Secretary of the Enugu Centenary Committee and Special Adviser to the governor on Media, Mr Vinmartin Ilo confirmed that Nnia Nwodo has resigned as the Centenary chairman, saying that the state wishes him well in his future eadeavours.
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