Abia-born cleric, Reverend Chika Ubani has urged the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha to be bold enough to admit the scintillating performance of the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu from 1999 —2007.
The cleric in a chat with newsmen on Tuesday, urged the lawmaker to refrain from over heating the polity with utterances capable of setting the state ablaze.
Obi Aguocha (LP, Abia), had while reacting to a statement credited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, said: “As you are aware, for almost 24 years, this is the first time Abia has awakened to great leadership and governance strides”.
In his response, Rev Ubani said: “Like many Abians, I read his statement with utmost dismay and disbelief, because, Hon. Aguocha’s late father had likened former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu to former Imo State Governor to Dee Sam Mbaka because of his giant strides from 1999-2007.
“At my age, I dont stand to benefit anything from defending Orji Uzor Kalu, but former Commissioner Aguocha of blessed memory had labelled Orji Uzor Kalu as a performing governor. It is disappointing for Obinna (Aguocha) not to be bold enough to acknowledge the performance of the man his father had once praised.
“In six months, President Obasanjo and many other prominent Nigerians commissioned road projects across Abia state. Obinna should also be reminded that the road passing through his father’s house at Ohuhu was also built by Orji Uzor Kalu. Abians enjoyed free education, our hospitals were working, salaries, gratuities and pensions were regularly paid. I didn’t for once witness any form of industrial action because the welfare of workers were a priority to the Orji Uzor Kalu government.
“Therefore, he should be bold enough to tell Abians when the mess started. Are those in power today doing better than what we had back then? Do we have our free education back? Aguocha should be bold enough to say Governor Otti is rehabilitating the roads built by Orji Uzor Kalu. He should be bold enough to tell Abians about the 15 general hospitals and the Abia State University Teaching Hospital built by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” he said.