Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezurike, yesterday swore in a new deputy governor for the state. He is Rev Raphael Ifeanyichukwu Nwoye.
The swearing-in of the new deputy governor, which took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Enugu followed the impeachment of Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi by the State House of Assembly, over gross misconduct.
Rev Nwoye was cleared last Thursday by the House of Assembly paving way for his swearing in.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor  Chime congratulated his new deputy, saying the machinery of government was set to begin to run smoothly again.
“We have just replaced a bad spark plug, the vehicle is repaired and the journey will be smooth again,” Chime, alluding to impeachment of Onyebuchi.
The governor disclosed that the new deputy governor was not new to him as both of them had served as commissioners in the administration of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani,  adding that he was sure that Rev Nwoye would bring his experience and background “not just as a Minister of God but as a fine gentleman,” to bear in the discharge of his duties.
Chime noted that the removal of his former deputy “happened in the best interest of Enugu State and not only the government.”
He enjoined Rev Nwoye to serve with due diligence and cooperation with the government as well as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Responding, the new deputy governor, expressed gratitude to God and to the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve in the new capacity.
He lauded the vision and good work of Governor Chime and pledged his unalloyed support and commitment to ensure that Enugu people continued to enjoy the benefits of good governance being delivered by the Chime administration.
The new deputy governor was serving as the Bishop in charge of the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Enugu District of the Christ Ascension Church while his father, Apostle Professor O.N  Godwin, is the founder and head of the church. Rev Nwoye hails from the same community, Isiogbo Nara, Nkanu East Local Government Area, as his predecessor, Mr Onyebuchi.
Meanwhile, the former deputy governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi has been redeployed to the Enugu State Civil Service.
Those who attended the swearing-in ceremony included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo; PDP state chairman,  Vita Abba; the wife and three children of the new deputy governor, his father and other top government officials.

Chime swears in new dep gov