Reverend Chika Ubani, a cleric from Abia, has called on Obi Aguocha, the representative for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, to have the courage to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, during his tenure from 1999 to 2007.
During a conversation with journalists on Tuesday, the cleric advised the lawmaker to avoid making statements that could excessively agitate the political environment and potentially destabilize the state.
In response to a statement attributed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, Obi Aguocha (LP, Abia) commented: “As you know, for nearly 24 years, this is the first instance that Abia has experienced significant leadership and governance progress.”
Rev Ubani expressed his reaction by saying: “I, like many others from Abia, was overwhelmed with shock and skepticism upon reading his statement. Hon. Aguocha’s late father had once compared the achievements of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu between 1999-2007 to those of the former Imo State Governor, Dee Sam Mbakwe. At my age, I have nothing to gain from defending Orji Uzor Kalu, but the late former Commissioner Aguocha described him as an effective governor. It’s disheartening that Obinna (Aguocha) lacks the courage to recognize the achievements of the individual his father once commended.
“In a span of six months, President Obasanjo, along with many other notable Nigerians, inaugurated road projects throughout Abia State. It’s worth noting for Obinna that the road running past his father’s house in Ohuhu was also constructed by Orji Uzor Kalu.
“People in Abia benefited from free education, our hospitals were operational, and salaries, gratuities, and pensions were consistently paid. During my time, I never experienced any strikes because the welfare of workers was a top priority for the Orji Uzor Kalu administration.
“He should have the courage to inform the people of Abia about when the problems began. Are today’s leaders performing better than those we had in the past? Is our free education restored? Aguocha should bravely acknowledge that Governor Otti is refurbishing the roads originally constructed by Orji Uzor Kalu. He ought to have the courage to inform the people of Abia about the 15 general hospitals and the Abia State University Teaching Hospital that Senator Orji Uzor Kalu constructed,” he stated.
