Sullivan Chime, Chimaroke Nnamani

In consonance with the age old adage that there is no permanent enmity in politics, that what endures is permanent interest, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani and Barr. Sullivan Chime, both former governors of Enugu State, last Friday closed the chasm that had characterized their relationship since Chime became governor in 2007.

Chime who served as Attorney General under Nnamani was a political neophyte whom pundits described as one who lacked the political base and structure as well as the financial muscle to contest the governorship. However, he  was Nnamani’s favorite and he apparently preferred him to  other acolytes in the then exclusive Ebeano political family. Chime consequently became governor against all political permutations in 2007.

However, the shit hit the fan when Sullivan became assertive, reminiscent of the son of a First Republic Eastern Nigeria minister while Chimaroke, the godfather, would have none of it.

Nnamani had insisted that godfatherism was prenatal yet he regaled in singularly putting persons in elective positions as  the father of the Ebeano political family and the ultimate godfather.

Chime had practically sent Nnamani into political oblivion until last year when the incumbent governor of the state, His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is another Ebeano devotee, gave him a lifeline by returning  him to the Senate.

For eight long years, there had been no love lost between Nnamani and Chime. However, on Friday, September 18, the coffin of the feud was nailed with Chime paying a personal visit to Nnamani at his country home in Oji Agu Agbani in Enugu State.