Now the city can be compared to
Lagos. Anyone who leaves home for
another location in the same city gets to
spend hours on the road. Where the
problem lies is the Lagos situation
would be as a result of distance. The Aba
situation?
For the last seven years, we from Abia
state have heard lots of stories on
how Abia has become the America of our
time. Roads have supposedly been
repaired and people are in love with the
governor. The sad part is that we
only get the evidence from the corrupt
Nigerian media alone. Honestly,
whenever I move through the streets of
Aba and Umuahia, I wonder whether I
have run either mental or I probably am
in another state. This is because
nothing of all the noises the corrupt Abia
state government make is true.
Roads in Aba are unbelievable and
shockingly embarrassing. Sometimes I
wonder whether the governor is on
leave. Sometimes I wonder whether he
loves Aba the way it is. Sometimes I
wonder how heartless humans could be.
Is he doing this intentionally, or does he
just not know what to do? Why
does he leave his job to chase shadows?
Even if the former governor of Abia
state kept him in bondage; even if the
former governor of Abia state
performed worse in his own time; does
that explain this reckless attitude
towards the enterprising people of Aba?
I guess I can never get an answer.
After all we are in Nigeria.
I must confess I do not know Etcetera,
even if his name rings a bell.
Whether he is an actor, writer or
musician, I sincerely do not know.
People, I believe, have contrasting
opinion about whatever he writes. I
honestly have not read much of them, so
I may not know where I stand.
However, having read his write-up on
the condition of Aba, I am forced to
ask a question. Is it, as an Igbo proverb
says, that the barber cannot
barb, or the razor blade is not sharp?
Must this state be heard of for the
wrong reasons all the time? I am
honestly sick and tired. But why would I
be?
In a state where salaries, pensions and
gratuities are not paid; a state
where potholes have become a blessing,
because almost all roads are
actually no different from gutters? I am
honestly tired. Aba, that popular
city, has become a joke. I must say I
disagree with Etcetera on something;
he actually committed a grave sin of
understatement.
2015 is around the corner. We are going
to correct all the mistakes. That
is sure. If not, then Aba would be gone
completely. We do not want that to
happen, so we are going to do the
needful. One lesson must be learnt from
Aba. Aba is on its knees at the moment.
But the people’s consolation
remains that the downfall of a man is
certainly not the end of his life.
Aba would rise again. Thank you dearest
Etcetera. On this, I stand with,
and by, you. We would be back. Abia
would rise again. I do not think there
is any question about that.
Finally, Mr President would come to Aba
again for his campaigns. We are
patiently waiting to see the road he
would move through. Patiently.
