WHO WILL HELP ABA AND ABIA?

On the 29th of May 1999, Orji Uzor Kalu, a fairly know businessman from Abia State was sworn in as the governor of that state.

I believe Kalu’s original intention was to work for the people of Abia, because no sooner did he resume office than his government’s projects starting springing up in different parts of the states.

Most notably were boreholes which he ensured brought water to people, and that was a time when clean water was not common in Aba. I was a new entrant into JSS but the impact of his strides were felt. People talked good of him and that was why he easily won his re-election bid

Then the demons of politics struck him.

Orji Kalu literally shifted his focus from working for the people to securing the political strongholds of the state, a decision that has kept that state in degradation. Kalu’s tenure expired and he anointed his Chief Of Staff, Mr. T.A Orji to succeed him.

T.A Orji for 8 years in my opinion, wasted the political space of Abians as the governor.

There was nothing tangible that made him stand out, other than periodic speeches shown on NTA Aba, speeches that amounted to nothing beneficial for the people of Abia State.

During his tenure, there was massive decay of infrastructure and complete negligence of the key duties of serving the people.

I may not in the best position to write this about T.A Orji because his son was a secondary school classmate of mine. Dude was humble, down to earth and cheerful. I believe he would have done better.

When T.A Orji’s forgettable 8 years passed, he anointed an unknown Okezie Ikpeazu as his successor.

Okezie is like an eagle in the hands of a human, he wants to fly but can’t because he is either afraid of his wings being clipped by the owner or he has been outrightly advised not to outshine the master.

Ikpeazu tried to shine in some areas but it is not enough.

Compared to his predecessors, he made some moves but compared to other states like Ebonyi, he performed abysmally.

Even Rochas who people made fun of for not working in Imo will be a winner when compared to the governors of Abia from 1999.

Ebonyi state used to be an example of a laid back state but at present, it has overtaken Abia when it comes to government’s efforts and presence, and Umahi can arguable be called the father of modern day Ebonyi. Even Umuahia, the Abia State capital is just there, nothing exceptional to make stand out as a state capital.

Aba is a glorious city that needs to be helped to shine. The potentials of that city is untapped and it will take a visionary leader to see it.

I travelled to the east sometime last year and made a brief stop at Aba. As usual, you have incredibly industrious people, creative, lively and happy people but the landscape has not changed much.

It’s almost the same situation of Cristiano Ronaldo complaining about little changes at Manchester United. And these pockets of changes which are mostly refurbished roads are works of Ikpeazu.

Aba is a town that has the potential to compete with any industrialized city in the world but it has not seen the light of a visionary leader, therefore leaving it to keep struggling to raise its own head above the waters.

But I know Aba will arise, I know she will shine.

For you who live in Aba, you deserve better, you must realize that.

Elections are around the corner. Don’t let anyone induce or buy your conscience with money, and don’t sit at home on election day waiting for miracle to happen.

Gooo out and vote.

If you sit at home, they keep installing political misfits in government to rule over you.

Who should you vote?

I don’t know. Go through the candidates, study their antecedents and vote the best out of them.

But I have a very clear advice for you; reject the political dynasty of the Orjis and whoever they anoint, at least for the foreseeable future.

ES