The former Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Osita Chidoka, has blamed ex Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, for the decline recorded between 2003 and 2023 in the state.
According to Chidoka, Kalu’s political fight with the federal government and his alleged role in the impeachment of his then deputy, Enyinnaya Abaribe, contributed to the underdevelopment that Abia State suffered until the coming of Governor Alex Otti.
He made the claims while delivering a keynote lecture to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Abia State, in Umuahia on Thursday.
Chidoka, who acknowledged the initial impact created by the Abia North Senator during his first four years in office, alleged that it started declining during Kalu’s second term, a situation he noted continued till 2023 when Governor Alex Otti took over to establish a new foundation.
“By the time Orji Kalu went on his second term and decided to impeach Abaribe and decided to do a few things, I had stopped engaging with him, and a few of us who were his close friends were no longer engaging with him.
” So, Abia’s decline started in his second term; the roads were no longer being built, and then the next Governors came.
“I tell you today, I will hold him responsible for what happened to Abia, but today is to talk about where we are heading to,” Chidoka said.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for his investment in education and infrastructure, saying that the future generations of Abia will judge Governor Otti above those he succeeded in office.
Abia’s decline started in Kalu’s second term after Abaribe’s impeachment – Osita Chidoka