Chime’s Lavish Wedding

Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Enugu has been conspicuously different from other states in one respect: it has no office of the First Lady. Throughout the eight-year tenure of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, the office was non-existent, due to the fact that the former governor was separated from his wife. In 2007, the situation did not change because his successor, the incumbent, Governor Sullivan Chime, had also parted ways with his wife in the 1980s, though the union was blessed with four children – two boys and two girls.

But with the current traditional wedding rites performed by Chime, on Saturday 11 October, the story is certain to change soon. That day, Chime carried wine to the family of his wife-to-be, Clara, at Umu-meze Amuda Isuochi in Abia State, and, expectedly, the occasion attracted Nigerians of substance from all walks of life. From the political sphere came Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; PDP National Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor; the governors of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Borno states, and the deputy governors of Kogi, Edo and Benue. Also present were former Senate president, Ken Nnamani; Senator Ayogu Eze, Minister of Education, Dr. Aja Nwachukwu; and Mrs. Fidelia Njeze of Defence.

Also at the event was the representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Christian Onoh and Jim Nwobodo, both former governors of old Anambra State, and all federal and state lawmakers from Enugu State, except Senator Chimaroke Nnamani. Days before the event, the state government had fully booked all the hotels in Enugu and Udi, including the 5-star Nike Lake Resort where all night parties were held before and after the ceremony. An unofficial source conservatively estimated the cost of the elaborate ceremony at over N150million, though it was gathered that some corporate organisations made donations in cash and kind. Surprisingly, the governor’s four children boycotted the traditional wedding. Many at the occasion wondered how Clara won the heart of Chime two decades after his first marriage hit the rocks. Said to be in her early 20s and agemate of the governor’s first daughter, Clara allegedly came to prominence through her caring for the governor’s incapacitated mother over the years. The marriage was thus seen as compensation for her loving care.
TheNEWS reliably gathered that the union has greatly improved the fortunes of the bride’s family. On 6 September 2008, for instance, Chime paid her dowry and ordered the construction of a multi-million Naira storey building for the bride’s family, as well as the renovation of a bungalow built by her late father. Clara’s mother was given a new Peugeot 406 saloon car befitting the family’s new status, while the traditional ruler and elders of the town were also not left out of the naira rain. The event, however, threw up the darker side of Chime. The first occasion was when he identified a local reporter approaching Chief Nwobodo for an interview. The governor demonstrated his hatred for the press–he did not invite journalists– by ordering his security detail: “Clear these people (journalists) from this place.”