The Legend Of The Beautiful Bride Of Abia

By Godwin Adindu

I am speaking to this beautiful bride who dazzled Abia State for 24 years with her charm and glamour… pretty Obingwa. So beautiful and glamorous! Every intending suitor sought to woo you, to make you his love and his friend. Every suitor sought your hand in marriage. They came in their numbers, from every corner of the state to worship at your courtyard. They toasted you. They courted you. They came with gifts and offerings. They tarried at the door for your welcome and reception. In bended knees, in full prostration they pleaded for your favour, for you were reputed to have the magic talisman for electoral victory.

Obingwa, the beautiful bride, yes you have the charm! You have the winning numbers and you flaunted it with grace and admirable poise. Such that for 24 years, you were the holder of the crown. You were the determinant of the guber-crown. You held the state in suspense as they waited for you. The INEC in Umuahia waited for your arrival before it could declare the guber victory. Obingwa, you were such a beautiful bride and I marvel at your charm.

But, wait a bit, looking back today, I feel that this beautiful bride was ignorantly deflowered, raped, exploited and abandoned. This beautiful bride is a victim of her beauty. This was the thought that haunted me the day I attended the flag-off ceremony of the Ohanze, Ntighuzor, Ibeme to Okirikaobo rural road. Why do I say so?
After 24 years of producing the highest vote that determined every gubernatorial victory, what was Obingwa’s reward? After 24 years of Abia waiting for Obingwa vote before the gubernatorial result would be announced, what did Obingwa benefit from the bargain? Which rural road was constructed even after we produced three Deputy Governors, a senator for twenty years and a Governor?

Apart from the Acho Nwakanma bypass which Acho did within the few days when he was Acting Governor which has long collapsed around Umuagwalam area, which other one is standing strong today as a vindication for our bomber vote? The Umuaro, Ekwereazu to Akwa Ibom Road collapsed less than four months after it was commissioned.

What was Obingwa’s gain in all our loyalty and devotion to PDP for twenty- four years? Apart from creating small-minded cabals who could not think beyond themselves, what are the legacies of those fleeting years? Apart from leading few people and their families into a stupendous wealth, what are Obingwa’s benefits in terms of infrastructural development?

But, in less than two years of Governor Otti, two rural roads are currently under construction. A third and fourth one are underway. Obingwa should summon herself to a meeting. Obingwa should now take a wise decision and take a wise step. We cannot leave the main road and continue to wallow in the bush. Life teaches us that there is a time to change course and that time is now.
Governor Otti has arrived Obingwa with his Midas touch.

Adindu writes from Obingwa