It has become pertinent to draw attention to some series of interview granted the Sun newspaper by one Igwe Amadi. The idea is not to confer significance to the contents, but to draw line to limit of distortion. Like the foremost Author, Chinua Achebe rightly puts it, “when falsehood continues without rebuttal it mistakenly starts assuming the colour of truth”. Consistent with what has been trending in the newspaper of late, especially since the proprietor Orji Uzo Kalu has been exerting unsuccessful pull to grab the senate seat, many of his followers have been coming out to spill anything just to express political loyalty.
For instance, conscience was thrown to the wind and honesty stood on its head when the man repeatedly said things that seem to portray the people of Abia State as being blind and unable to decipher productive administration. Otherwise how could one claiming to be an Ibeku son and a former secretary of an association go to the extent of casting aspersions at a prolific administrator in the person of Sen. T. A Orji while at the same time referring to the eight years of Orji Uzor Kalu administration as being golden? Mr Igwe is constitutionally entitled to his opinion, but he needs to be properly guided not to abuse it. It is canonical that those who sin against God may be forgiven but against the Holy Spirit, there is no forgiveness. What Igwe has done is analogous to sinning against the Holy Spirit.
What more can we say that haven’t been said or written? What other evidence than those awash all over the print and the electronic media. The lies propagated by the publication and other offensive allies of Orji Uzor Kalu hitherto walked tall, aided by some heinous media hype until Mr. Labaran Maku came with his “Good Governance Tour” of 2013 where over 50 journalists, heads of NGOs and some ministerial staff involving information experts came to Abia and gave the world their eye witness account.
Heading the different groups were Nkechi Okemiri of National Council of Women Society, NCWS Muhammed Garba, former Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ president, Yemi Bangbose, President of Radio and And Television Theatre Art Workers, RATAWT, who marvelled at the 48 room complex of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, BCA. The Minister, Mr Labaran Maku laid the foundation stones of some projects, some of which he came back few months after to cut the tapes. Nkechi Okemiri of NCWS was there and had no complaints but only asked for a little step-up on hastening the removal of all glass ceilings on women, which the governor harkened to by aiding the appointment of a female, in his government. Mrs. Iheukwumere as registrar of Abia State University.
They toured Abia for three days and saw all completed and ongoing projects.
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For clarity and contrary to Igwe’s descriptions, the twin tower secretariat built by T. A. Orji is in use now. The International Conference Centre, first of its kind in the South East was first put in use in the thanksgiving service during the swearing in of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. The E-Library, first of its kind is elegantly on the junction to Abia House of Assembly, so nobody can deny it as all the legislators APGA or PDP members drive past it on their way to sittings or is it the renovated Abia House of Assembly Complex.
The Good Governance Tour team spent elaborate time at Amachara Specialist Hospital with the new blocks and new departments. The 100 bed hospitals erected in nine LGAs had a tip of the iceberg in Amachara complemented by residence for medical interns, Chest Centre and a proposed research centre for Ebola and Malaria. This is a small unit of Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre equipped with dialysis machines, MRI, ophthalmological equipment and 21st century x-ray machines.
Chances are that the so-called Igwe does not live in Umuahia because he displayed so much ignorance.
In Ohafia Barracks located along Ohafia Arochukwu Road, Sen. Orji paved their parade ground, built a helipad at Isuikwuato and donated many vehicles for security operations
For smooth dispensation of justice, the judiciary was completely given a face-lift as the magistrate courts that used to operate in archaic huts were comprehensively refurbished.
The state capital was made to look like one spawning a new Government House. The new High Courts in Aba and Umuahia, ASEPA, JAAC and ASUBEB houses are thrills never experienced.
Igwe must be advised not to play with the sensibility of the electorate, as posterity will not be kind with him.
The man who at the expense of good governance perfected a way to short-change the people has got justice from nemesis as his efforts at electoral office has consecutively met brick walls.
- Onuzuruike writes from Abuja
