In 1991, a young state was created in the South-East, that state was Abia State.The young state was an amalgam of Aba, comprising Ngwa and Ukwa areas; Bende division, consisting of Abariba, Ohafia, Umuahia areas. Others include; Isikwuato made up of Isikwuato , Uturu and its environs, and Afikpo, comprising; Ohaozara, Edda, etc, areas in the present day Ebonyi state.
The first military administrator of the then new state was Group Captain Ajobena. It was a state many jubilated and celebrated with high hopes, only for their hopes to be dashed.Not even subsequent military administrators that came such as Group Captain Ejoor, Col. Ike Nwosu and the rest of them could change the fortune of the then young state.
The military administrators were not operating under democracy,they were not indigenes and many of them like in the larger Nigerian society were interested only in their personal pecuniary gains and left the state shattered. They were alleged to have stolen the young state blind. There was no legacy of significant development. Then came the civilian democratic dispensation where a young handsome man from the Afikpo area emerged as the governor, in the person of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. He was a man of ideas but could not implement any, owing to his short tenure, as the military butted out the civilian administration then. Abians were excited because he gave them hope, despite the fact that his dreams could not materialize. He promised to make Aba a technological village that would be the hub of Nigeria’s development but time was not on his side.
In 1999, a new era of democracy was ushered in which a political party called Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) emerged victorious in Abia state. A lot of people had hopes that the new party would transform the state. They were nostalgic that the miracle of Nigeria Peoples Party(NPP) and late Chief Sam Mbakwe, whose development efforts could not be paralleled in the history of South-East, would happen.
The 1999 dispensation saw Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu emerged as the governor of the state. His administration’s achievements were more of propaganda . Aba people styled roads he constructed in the city as ‘Dubai’ roads, which meant that they could not be durable. The young man had firm grip of the state politically, with no vision and created conduit pipes for wastages. Perhaps, more irritating was the mother and her ‘egusi’ escapade, who controlled power, as it affects market associations. Abians prayed for a change and freedom. Development was stagnated. Bad roads were everywhere. Hospitals were not working. Every infrastructure including sanitation was an embarrassment to the people of the state. As it is usual in Nigeria, he foisted his successor on the people of the state, Chief Theodore Orji. That one became worse than him to the extent thatOrji Uzor Kalu vehemently condemned his lack lustre administration. You could remember the Okija shrine saga where it was alleged that an oath of agreement of sharing the state fund between the then present governor, T.A Orji and outgone one, Orji Uzor Kalu and his cohorts was reached. With that understanding, Abia state slided into precipice where the people of the state experienced governance ground to a halt and was worsened by insecurity of the Osisikankwu era where many Abians, including residents fled the state, transferring their businesses and investments to other states. While Orji Uzor Kalu’s mother was an irritant in his administration, T.A Orji’s own irritant was his son, Chinedu Orji alias ‘the dreaded Ikuku’, who held the state to hostage ,with EFCC allegedly accusing them (father and son) of corruption amounting to more than five hundred billion naira. Even the immediate past governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu was hand picked by Chinedu Orji. Chinedu and his cohorts took over the state. Abia grinned under their pains. Governance disappeared ,except where monetary benefits were at stake.
After the expiration of the eight year- term of T.A Orji, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu emerged. Gov. Ikpeazu had good intention but he could not do his best as he was handicapped by his political godfathers . He had only a paltry sum of the state’s fund to run and develop the state while the rest were frittered away in settling these godfathers. It took him so much a long time to complete one flyover (Overhead bridge)at Osisioma, Aba.
The people of Abia state yearned for a change but could not liberate themselves from the grip of this political oligarchy in the state. Then came the God sent Labour Party(LP), like a hurricane, swept through Abia and other South-East and South -South states . Abia people could not allow the change to pass them by. They held to it. Kudos to the Nnenna Otti, the Chief Returning Officer, the dream of Abians came through and Dr. Alex Otti emerged the Governor. The joy of Abians knew no bounds as riders of Keke, buses, traders, artisans and entire populace poured out in the streets. This was what was lacking in Tinubu’s victory.
Dr. Alex Otti, the new Governor had started well. The calibre of members of his transitional council has put implicit confidence on Abians on him that he would do well. Check for instance, the likes of Okonji Iweala, the economy therapist, Arunma Oteh, ‘madam stock exchange, Ifueko Omogui Okauru, who revolutionized the Federal Inland Revenue Board and so on, are in the council.
Even before inauguration, the Managing Director of Julius Berger had visited him. This is indicating that Abia will have quality infrastructure. Otti had also travelled abroad to meet foreign investors in order to attract such investments in Abia state. He was in Germany and other countries.
One thing stands Alex Otti out, he has always had the ambition to rule the state which implies he has a vision for the state.
Unlike many leaders in Nigeria who never had any ambition or vision but was enthroned in power. The history of such leaders showed none performance.
The task before Otti, the newly inaugurated Governor is to ensure that his cabinet is made of high flyers and goal getters with smart ideas ,which rule the world.
One has heard that he intends to single out Aba as a special city with a commissioner in-charge of its affairs. Getting Aba to its lost glory as an investment destination and haven, technological centre and a centre of commerce would mean getting it right in the state. That means Aba will enjoy a special status. Even the campaign that Igbos should come back and invest in the Southeast should be pioneered by this ministry. Small scale industries , which were the genesis of industrialisation in Japan, should be encouraged in the state. Made-in-Aba products with high quality assurance should be facilitated. In the area of Science and Technology, innovative artisans should be put together and working in collaboration with a polytechnic of Science and Technology to help manufacture things the nation expend so much foreign exchange to import. In so doing, it will be in line with the philosophy ‘from consumption to production’ and so, will take away a lot of youths from poverty.
In addition, appropriate development communication, particularly participatory communication will be needed to mobilize Abia people to the development objectives of the new government. Every Abian must work hard as in the Igbo spirit to develop the state and increase its GDP.
Also, necessary link roads must be constructed in the hinterland in order to evacuate food stuff and local produce to the urban areas. A marshal plan for agriculture should be adopted as agriculture is a pedestal to industrialisation. Also, tourism attractions and places should be overhauled to attract tourists to Abia state.
However, for such to exist, there must be adequate security. Abia is blessed security wise, in spite of the fact that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hails from the state, it has remained peaceful.
Growing cities such as Ohafia, Omoba, Mbawsi, Obehie etc, should be designated special towns either as tourist, commercial, administrative or industrial centres.
The administration must work hand in glove with the federal government to establish a dry port at Owerrinta or any other place.
Abia must liaise with donor agencies abroad to support its developmental activities in form of grants, counterpart funding and aids.
Furthermore, a lot of Abians are in overseas, a special department should be created for diaspora relations to encourage wealthy Abians to invest in the state and encourage her development.
I wish the present Governor well and encourage Abians to support him to succeed.
Dr. Sunny Mbazie is a senior lecturer in the department of Public Relations and Advertising, UNIPORT.
