Former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka has pinned two decades of Abia State’s decline squarely on ex-governor Orji Uzor Kalu, delivering a scathing assessment that challenges the former leader’s legacy. Speaking at Thursday’s commemoration of Abia’s 35th anniversary in Umuahia, Chidoka argued that while Kalu’s first term showed promise, everything ced during his second term when political battles took precedence over development.
What exactly went wrong? According to Chidoka, Kalu’s decision to impeach his deputy, Enyinnaya Abaribe, now a senator representing Abia North, marked a pivotal turning point. The impeachment, coupled with Kalu’s political fight with the federal government, set off a downward spiral that lasted until 2023.
Roads stopped being built. Infrastructure projects stalled. Close friends, including Chidoka himself, stopped engaging with the governor as his focus shifted away from state development.
Still, Chidoka offered praise for current Governor Alex Otti, whose administration since 2023 has invested heavily in education and infrastructure. He believes future generations will judge Otti more favorably than his predecessors.
The timing of Chidoka’s remarks, delivered at a state anniversary celebration, suggests a deliberate attempt to reframe Abia’s recent history and set a new trajectory for its future.
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