Chime and divine-right-of-kings doctrine

By Benjamin Obialulu Aduda

No modern ruler believes and exudes the aura of Divine Right of Kings as much as the current governor of Enugu state, Mr. Sullivan Iheanacho Chime. For those who have forgotten, “…divine right of kings, doctrine in defense of monarchical absolutism, which asserted that kings derived their authority from God and could not, therefore, be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority such as a parliament. Originating in Europe, the divine-right theory can be traced to the medieval conception of God’s award of temporal power to the political ruler, paralleling the award of spiritual power to the church…”

Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627–1704), one of the principal French theorists of divine right, asserted that the king’s person and authority were sacred; that his power was modeled on that of a father’s and was absolute, deriving from God; and that he was governed by reason (i.e., custom and precedent). The doctrine of divine right can be dangerous for both church and state. For the state it suggests that secular authority is conferred, and can therefore be removed, by the church, and for the church it implies that kings have a direct relationship to God and may therefore dictate to ecclesiastical rulers…” http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/166626/divine-right-of-kings

How does Governor Chime demonstrate his love for this doctrine? I have previously shown some of his proclamations from the throne. I will show some of his recent proclamations from the throne and repeat others. Here is a quote from The Guardian: “Any person that is not present in this rally cannot be said to be supporting President Goodluck Jonathan… “Enugu is intact as one party and will vote 100 per cent for Jonathan as is evidenced in our block vote in 2011… The President should save the time of coming to Enugu for campaigns because Enugu has decided unequivocally to vote for him…The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, while expressing the deep appreciation of the President, said: “The solidarity Chime and the people of Enugu State has shown on the administration cannot be quantified. “I agree with all the speakers here that, indeed, we do not need to campaign in Enugu State; we shall simply come to say ‘thank you’ for your support.”

Please, note that all the representatives of Enugu both in the House and Senate at Abuja except for one did not show up for this embarrassing assembly. Who but one who has his authority from God can decide that the President should not come to ask for the vote of Enugu people? When a president comes into town small and large business men and women make some money as the guests would eat, drink, sleep, ride taxis, etc. Did these people not want the president in their communities Your Majesty? Who has decided for the people how to vote but the Annointed and the Chosen One? Who has decided that the economic benefits are zero?

Governor Chime was quoted as saying that he would resign as Governor to contest the Enugu West Senatorial election to show FG legislators how to wind down their services and not to contest the 2015 election after two terms. The governor had earlier issued a proclamation limiting the Enugu legislators to two terms. Nowhere in the 1999 Constitution as amended which is the Bible and Quran of Nigerian government was term limits mentioned; nowhere in the PDP constitution was this alluded to; nowhere in Enugu legislative laws or documents of Enugu State was term limits enacted; there is no gazette on term limits. Mr. Chime graduated from law school and practiced law for some years before his Anointment. From whence did he get this authority? From his belief that he cannot be accountable to any earthly authority, not to the Nigerian Constitution or legislature. He has Divine Right.

At a reception for Enugu Unity Forum (behind closed doors) in his palace, where he allegedly made his well published statement to “teach Enugu legislators how to wind down …since they do not know how to do so…” his guest commented as follows: “…Earlier the national president, Enugu Unity Forum, Mr. Tahill Ochi, expressed satisfaction with chime for maintaining his earlier promise of shifting the 2015 Enugu guber to Enugu North Senatorial Zone…” Dr. Ezema said that the stand point of the governor on Enugu North Senatorial zone to produce the PDP candidate for 2015 was a manifestation of honesty of the state PDP caucus meeting for the

Mr. Chime’s designation of the zone and who in the zone should be governor is further manifestation of his imperial power which no earthly power can challenge, otherwise known as Divine Right. Both King James 1 of England (1601-1625) and King Louis XIV of France (1643-1715) will be so proud of their 21st century son. Where are Enugu men and women? How come they can stand tyranny? By the way, there are other “Chimes” among Nigeria’s governors. He just happens to be the best at what he does. We will see.

Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba is US-based.