Abia stinks, says billionaire, Arthur Eze SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 Shocks guests at 23rd anniversary of creation of state It was a bad day for Gov. T.A Orji as he assembled a battery of illustrious personalities to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the creation of Abia State in Umuahia last Wednesday. Rather than effusive praises, what came the way of the governor were censure and excoriation from no less a person than multi-billionai re, Chief Arthur Eze, who told the gathering dead pan: “Abia State stinks.” He then dropped the microphone, and walked out. Venue was the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, where the governor had gathered illustrious citizens of the state, some of whom were to be given awards to mark the 23rd anniversary. In the sessions of comments that preceded the awards ceremony, Chief Eze was recognized to speak. But what he said sent cold chill running down the spines of majority of the people, particularly the governor. “Abia is stinking,” Eze, believed to have the largest oil bloc in Africa, bellowed. The audience was stupefied in shock, but more was to come. “Right from the Abia Tower in Umuahia, the rot hits you,” the oil magnate continued. “Abia State is now the dirtiest in the country. Garbage everywhere, along with bad roads. The people are really suffering, and you see it in their faces. Are there no elders in Abia again? If so, what are they doing? What are the senators, the members of House of Representatives, and other elected people doing? Nothing.” Then, pointedly, Chief Eze told the governor: “If you do not know what to do again, please write to President Goodluck Jonathan, and let him come to your aid. Abia State needs help.” Having given the gathering a piece of his mind, Eze dropped the microphone on the floor, and walked out. It was a dazed Gov Orji who jerked himself out of stupor, and tried to rationalize what Arthur Eze had said. He said the man was referring to the collapsed Port Harcourt to Aba Expressway, which was a federal road. But the explanation sounded hollow to the governor himself, and after some time, he left the venue of the ceremony, without taking questions from journalists, as such occasion would have demanded. Confirming the story to Daily Sun, an associate of Chief Eze, said the state of Abia State was really dispiriting, with decay and despondency everywhere. ” I am sure most of the dignitaries quietly agreed with Chief Eze, only that they could not do so openly. One must commend Chief Eze’s courage for being bold enough to speak out. Not many people can do so today. In Abia State today, there is the son of one of the elected officials, called The Wind, who is like terror. He silences all opposition, and deals ruthlessly with anyone in opposition to the government. So, not many people can speak out. But we must commend Chief Eze for his boldness and conviction.” Among dignitaries at the Abia anniversary event were Austin Akobundu, vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-East, who was to receive an award, immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, PDP chairman in Abia State, Emmanuel Nwaka, party chieftains, and others. Abia State was created in August 1991 by the Ibrahim Babangida administration alongside others like Osun, Delta, and Jigawa.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:01:36 +0000
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