The health situation of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, South-East Nigeria, may be worse than his aides and relatives are ready to admit.

The governor’s health “may have taken a turn for the worse following complications from a major surgery carried out on him in a London hospital,” according to the Lagos newspaper ThisDay.

The paper quoted an unnamed government source as revealing that Chime “initially relapsed into coma” but is now “responding to treatment in the London hospital.” The governor, who is believed to have cancer, was said to have been first flown to New Delhi, India, for treatment before being moved to England in search of better medical attention.

“Apparently disturbed by the latest development, most family members of the governor, including his children led by Nnamdi; his brother, Jide and sister, May Orji, were said to have embarked on a trip to London earlier last week to ascertain the actual situation with their brother governor,” This Day reported.

Chime (shown in photo) has been away from Enugu since September 19, 2012 when he left the state after transmitting a letter to the House of Assembly informing them of his intention to begin his annual leave and accordingly informing them that his deputy would function as acting governor in his absence.