I WAS not, just like other Nigerians surprised with the article titled ‘T.A Orji’s Public Humiliation” written by Dan Onwukwe and published in his column in The Sun Newspaper of March 12, 2012.

This is because of the misplacement of facts in the article, the writer’s predetermined motives, the publisher of the paper’s antagonistic disposition to Governor Theodore Orji and his government since they became politically estranged before the 2011 general elections.

Before now, Onwuke has written a similar article on November 18 last year in which he maligned and castigated Governor Orji for transferring non-indigene civil servants in the state on the transfer of service basis; that was after Governor Orji had through a formal letter intimated his colleagues in the South East zone of his plans and requested the same from them.

Today, the issue is over and armchair critics of the policy are beginning to realise that the policy was in the best interest of the indigenes of the state that had been sidelined in the state civil service, since the creation of the state in 1991. Now on the issue Onwukwe raised in his article on the alleged humiliation of Governor Orji in Aba and Nnewi, which he alleged was as a result of a romance gone sour between Aba residents and Governor Orji after failed promises by his government.

For point of correction and with benefit of hindsight, Orji was never booed or humiliated in Aba by the residents during the funeral ceremony of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Odumegwu Ojukwu as Onwukwe would want Nigerians to believe. Since Orji assumed office as governor of Abia State in 2007, he was never booed or attacked by anybody or group of persons in Aba during his several visits there.

But immediately Orji’s romance with his predecessor went sour following Orji’s liberation victory against him and his allies, political plots were immediately hatched against him and his government by the enemies of his government which found Aba as a safe haven for their illfavoured activities. Lest we forget, they are Aba brought up without conscience, feelings or fear and notorious for looting public treasury.

Apart from the liberation victory for the people, Governor Orji’s reforms in the civil service which affected some pockets of non-indigene civil servants-turned-traders in Aba did not go down with those affected and they found alliance with Orji’s enemies in the city.

Also in alliance with these people are the sponsored kidnappers whom Governor Orji’s government ensured that their evil and inhumane activities in the State, especially in Aba, were put to a permanent stop. Not surprisingly, they were not happy and have since  resorted to always causing confusion during government events in the city. Also not left out in the alliance of the group are some fake landlords who built on drainage channels, but have their houses and stores demolished by the State Taskforce on Illegal Structures.

So there is no threat to the  romance between Orji and the residents of Aba and such is not anticipated now because his government has done more for the residents of the city than any other government in the past.

Wiping out kidnapping and restoring peace  is enough for the residents to hold Orji and his government in high esteem, because but for that singular act, nobody will today be talking of going to do business in Aba or living there.

Besides, the Aba North/ South federal constituency seat which was occupied for eight years by the younger brother of the then governor of the State who was not from the constituency was returned to Aba indigenes by Governor Orji and their son is occupying it presently. The reconstruction of Faulks Road and Ukwumango Ariria Road that were slums before now is a pointer to the fact that the welfare of the residents of Aba is a top priority for his government.

For Onwukwe to refer to the suspension of some top government functionaries by Governor Orji as transfer of aggression in the aftermath of the Aba and Nnewi incidents, shows that he does not understand how government works or operates. Has he forgotten that constitutionally, hiring and firing of government functionaries are the sole responsibilities of the Governor for reasons best known to him and his security team.

Just like the House of Assembly members have the absolute right to hold session in a close door without media coverage. So, constitutionally there is nothing wrong in the decision and action of the Governor and the House.

Mr. MARCEL UGWUEZUGWU, a cleric, wrote from Aba, Abia State.