God's Own State...The Devil's Dynasty

Abia Tower

Why is Abia God's Own State?

Not many people know that ABIA was coined from Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo which happened to be the densely populated areas of the 1991 state carved out of the then old Imo. With 17 LGAs currently, the state can't be said to be a small time player in the South East. Boasting as the 5th most industrialized state in the country, and 4th highest index of human development in the country, with numerous economic activities and fast growing populations as recorded by the United nations early 2018, Abia is also a major player in the Nigerian economy. The state Crude oil and gas production is a prominent activity, it contributes over 39% of the State's GDP, it is not a thing of suprise, as the state has about 50 marginal Oil fields with over 100 oil wells ( thanks to 42 oil wells received from river state in 2012 through boundary commision) and 3 installed flow stations, all of this points to the fact the state is the fourth largest oil producing state in the country, producing a total of about 36,000 barrels of crude oil per day. With about four known University one can say that education is also a contributing factor to the state economy. 2% of the state GDP comes from manufacturing, while 27% comes from agriculture. Thus making about $18.69 billion gross domestic product which sets the state as the 12th richest state in the country.
Yet this a state with the worst record of governance, (don't refer me to any award, we know how it's gotten) poor road infrastructure, massive thuggery, individualism, godfatherism, low employment rate, highest record of suffering and smiling.

How did God's Own State get to this point?

In 2007 T.A Orji under PPA with the then governor's backing won the general election and was sworn in as Lord of the dynasty, his four years tenure was marked terribly with regression, bitterness, suffering and blame games. To which he publicly stated to be as a result of his then political father, Ex- Governor Orji Uzo Kalu. By 2011 he decamped to join PDP, and was re-elected as governor. There was so much believe he would be the messiah, since his last four years were under the shackles of the past regime, for which he has freed himself. His next four years was laddened with poor and regressive development in Aba the economical hub of the state, massive and open loot, bloodshed, and aggressive thuggery with high rate of crime and criminal reign. When his time was up, he hand picked and openly campaigned for Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on the vice that he would rebuild the state. To rack the support of Aba, a slang "Aba ga aru Aba" was made popular. Massive radio campaign and interview was granted by Ikpeazu, to increase his popularity amongst the people. When it seems to be failing, tribalism was employed to shake down the front runners (Alex Otii) credibility. This increased Ikpeazu's chances but did not guarantee a win especially in Aba. TA and PDP then resorted to electoral thuggery. He won and was sworn in, and the suffering intensified.
His projects did not carry momentum, building were destroyed in the name of road expansion that never took place, drainage systems were dug but never completed, resulting to massive erosion almost in all parts of the state, aha! a fly over construction which has become a thing of ridicule as other states have completed projects of same magnitude, and even more in lesser time frame. He chose to take after the president Buhari and travelled around like an exiled wanderer in search of peace only found in his homeland. The governor made a list of roads he completed, but investigation shows that they were all Photoshopped. 

I passed Ehere Road (Ikot Ekpene Road) down to Nlagu and saw for myself, I went on to Azikiwe, Aba Owerri Road, Osisioma, Ngwa Road, Faulks Road, Okigwe Road, some part of Ariaria, and many more, the stories where the same. The state is in a sorry darkness, no waste management strategy in place. Putting the people in a situation where they can not afford fresh air. Abians are really suffering.
Workers for the first time in the history of the state have never been owed 11months salary, to the point many are dying of diabetics since there is no money to continue funding their drugs. Even the bible in proverb said when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn. For Abians, they have gone beyond mourning as it is equivocably clear that the Devil and his agents beareth rule. State revenues are not accounted for, as they are not even declared to the people. Although his cohorts will deny this vehemently.
But before they come after me, let them ask his excellency the following questions and let them answer  questions as well and if the answers are in positive, I shall gladly give myself in without resistance:
Did you (the governor) build new Abia Palm, Ogwe Golden Chicken, any (Abia) airport? Or fulfil the promise of completing the Enyimba Hotel? Has the Morden Ceramics been reactivated? Even Golden Guinea and International Glass Industry, that may look like about and nearly kicking are they state-financed? Where this not part of campaign promises? Then how come in four years, not a single campaign promise have been fulfilled. Only the Devil can be as heartless.
The state has become a toy in the hands of men who came from nothing to something and have decided to become "agada gbachiri uzo" wolves in sheep's clothing. Otii must look back and laugh now, those ngwa women who matched down to umuahia to proclaim support during the tribunal must be bowing in shame. I wonder how the Devil sleeps at night, knowing people are dying in his watch, oh wait, he is the keeper of hell and must populate his kingdom...but I must tell him it is only possible if the blood of the innocent was not atoned for.

Abia Dictators

ABIA WOES CONTINUES!

For years after the Orji Uzo Kalu's era, bad governance has plagued the ones mighty state. Abia before now known for her agricultural prowess, commercial progress, talents in craftsmanship and sports just to mention but few, now falls behind her counterparts.

One notable dismay is the dictatorship approach the new era government has adopted. Abia has more police check points than any other state in Nigeria, making it difficult to distinguish between the real officers and dubious villagers trying to extort from drivers and passerbys. TA Orji with his son "IKUKU" made all manner of headlines and were an instrument of terror, political and socioeconomic stagnancy. They can be credited with all that is wrong with Abia, then and today. At the due of time, he and his cabals left the State Road and affairs to an alter decay, into the hands of their loyalist, with no remedy that even the federal government does not know where to begin from to help Abia and Abians.

Abia happens to be located in a strategic places in the heart of the South East, it is a commercial state and enjoys a popularity brought by the Aba historic tales and commerce. Abia is a route so to say, it leads to several other states, it has serviced and still services it's neighboring states in commercial equity and thus must not be left to become an eye sore.

The ones fast developing state is now fast becoming a jungle. A jungle of dirty and foul odour oozing from refuse of administrative decay. It is upon this decay, that the current governor had based his campaign promises, "to rebuild Abia" especially its commercial town Aba. Despite how it all went down, god fatherism, rigging and all, the present administration was tasked with repairing and rebuilding. A task to wish he has been delinquent, as no substantial improvement has been noted. Potholes on major roads are filled with stones and chippings, drainage are dug and abandoned without been completed, leaving the people to the mercies of the rain, as even stores are collapsing from the actions of unchannelled flow of water.

Disturbingly the present government against the people's wish are forcing business men to take up stores and offices in the Aba Mega Mall (a mall located outside the business sketch of Aba town, and still unaffordable for the Aba business man) located at Osisioma in Aba. The business men of Saints Michael now ask the federal government to intervene since the state assembly has remained mute. One question one may ask is why the governor will ask business men on private property to vacate into another private property by force. The answer is one very simple - He has a Master, who controls 99% of his actions. This master owns Aba Mega Mall. And thus the mall a priority and a must accomplish task. While important issues other than who should occupy Aba Mega Mall exist, issues such as we see daily on Aba Roads, Aba roads have become seas of mud, and leave no appeal to the passer by or residents.