Ladies and gentlemen, the four nominees for the most
underdeveloped state in Nigeria are: 1. Abia State 2. Abia State 3. Abia State
and 4. Abia State. And the Award goes to none other than Abia State. Hurray!!!
underdeveloped state in Nigeria are: 1. Abia State 2. Abia State 3. Abia State
and 4. Abia State. And the Award goes to none other than Abia State. Hurray!!!
I was holidaying at my cousin’s shop in Aba, Abia State when
news broke that Gen. Sanni Abacha was dead. In fact I was at the centre of the
popular Ariaria market that evening. Sixteen years on, I still see the worried
faces of the traders as they hurriedly closed their shops as uncertainty took
hold of the town. The look on my cousin’s face as he dragged us out of the
market is something I still tease him about till date.
news broke that Gen. Sanni Abacha was dead. In fact I was at the centre of the
popular Ariaria market that evening. Sixteen years on, I still see the worried
faces of the traders as they hurriedly closed their shops as uncertainty took
hold of the town. The look on my cousin’s face as he dragged us out of the
market is something I still tease him about till date.
Back then in 1998, what
really caught my eye was the simple but very industrious people of Aba. I saw a
people living and fending for themselves in a city with very little government
presence. Going back to Abia State after 16 years feels no different. If
anything is to be said, the state is in a more terrible condition than it was
when I left in 1998. More disturbing is the fact that the government seems
unperturbed by the sordid condition of the state.
I remember vividly how the people were filled with hope when
it was announced by Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar that the country was going back to
democratic rule. At first I was wondering why the people made so much fuss
about a return to democracy, then I was told that Abia State saw the last
infrastructural upgrade as a part of Imo State under the civilian regime of the
late Sam Mbakwe. Now It’s over 15 years of the current democratic dispensation
and the people’s elephant is still languishing in limbo. The democratic
dividends that everyone dreamt of remains a lingering illusion.
it was announced by Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar that the country was going back to
democratic rule. At first I was wondering why the people made so much fuss
about a return to democracy, then I was told that Abia State saw the last
infrastructural upgrade as a part of Imo State under the civilian regime of the
late Sam Mbakwe. Now It’s over 15 years of the current democratic dispensation
and the people’s elephant is still languishing in limbo. The democratic
dividends that everyone dreamt of remains a lingering illusion.
From our drive through Enugu to Owerri, the government
presence we felt in those places seemed to diminish as we got to Abia. All
roads in the state were totally waterlogged, hampering vehicular and pedestrian
movement. What was most baffling is the uniformed cloak of surrender and defeat
worn by the people. There were military patrol vans everywhere which painted a
picture of a state under emergency rule. Can the military presence be the
reason why Abians are afraid to speak out? How can a people known all over the
world for their outspoken and fearless nature become so docile and defeated? Or
have they become accustomed to this infrastructural decay? I am certain that if
Abians decide today that they want a change, they will have a change. They are
living in rot today but the coming general elections present a huge opportunity
for rectification. It is time to create a new beginning for themselves and
their unborn children. Few weeks from now, it will be left for them to decide
if they prefer a tin of rice and another eight years of stagnation.
presence we felt in those places seemed to diminish as we got to Abia. All
roads in the state were totally waterlogged, hampering vehicular and pedestrian
movement. What was most baffling is the uniformed cloak of surrender and defeat
worn by the people. There were military patrol vans everywhere which painted a
picture of a state under emergency rule. Can the military presence be the
reason why Abians are afraid to speak out? How can a people known all over the
world for their outspoken and fearless nature become so docile and defeated? Or
have they become accustomed to this infrastructural decay? I am certain that if
Abians decide today that they want a change, they will have a change. They are
living in rot today but the coming general elections present a huge opportunity
for rectification. It is time to create a new beginning for themselves and
their unborn children. Few weeks from now, it will be left for them to decide
if they prefer a tin of rice and another eight years of stagnation.
My advice is that Abians shouldn’t give up as they walk
through this wilderness. But they also must not fail in the coming months to
choose a Moses with the right staff to walk them through. Because another eight
years of this same political hiatus might be too costly.
through this wilderness. But they also must not fail in the coming months to
choose a Moses with the right staff to walk them through. Because another eight
years of this same political hiatus might be too costly.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
