INSECURITY IN ABIA: CALL FOR THE GOVERNOR ORJI’S RESIGNATION

c/o Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation (HRJPF)
93, Market Road, First Floor (Back)
Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
E-mail: hrjpfoundation@...
www.hrjpf.org
Tel : +234 (0) 803 505 6312
June 9, 2010

JOINT PRESS RELEASE


With great dismay, we are alarmed by the spinning out of control of the spate of
armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, ritual killings and rape in Abia State,
particularly Aba, the commercial nerve centre and Umuahia, the State Capital.

Despite heavy security presence in the ill-fated state of Abia, the fear of
armed robbers, kidnappers, ritual killers and rapists is the beginning of
wisdom.

It should be noted that since the emergence of Chief T.A. Orji – a man around
whose neck over hundred count charges of stealing of Abia people’s funds are
hanging – as governor, the ill-fated state of Abia has recorded unprecedented
cases of violent crimes. Between May 14 and June 8, 2010, several banks have
been robbed, security personnel brutally killed, trouser-wearing ladies raped,
and innocent persons kidnapped for rituals and/or ransom under the nose of
heavily armed security men, including the blood-thirsty Abia State Vigilante
Services (Bakassi boys).

As an indication that Abia has degenerated to a failed state in Nigeria, armed
robbers and kidnappers now give NOTICE before they strike, as vividly shown by
the invasion of First Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc, both in Port Harcourt
Road, Aba on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Recall that they had written to inform
them of their intention to rob them and eventually did, to chagrin of all. And
while the people of Enyimba City, as Aba is fondly called, were still writhing
in the pains inflicted on them by last Wednesday’s robbery attack, which
culminated in the closure of banks and other financial institutions in Aba; no
fewer than eighteen persons were kidnapped along Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Road, Ogbor
Hill, Aba yesterday, June 8, 2010.

The most shocking of this ugly development is that, rather than gear efforts
towards curbing violent crimes in the failed state of Abia, Governor Orji is not
only busy acquiring in a manner most primitive perishable worldly benefits but
also campaigning for a second term in office. We have therefore begun to wonder
whether the spate of violent crimes in Abia are masterminded by him to scare
away political opponents from running against him in the 2011 gubernatorial
election; or whether he lacks the capacity to govern. Whichever way it is
viewed, Governor Orji has abysmally failed in guaranteeing the safety of lives
and property in Abia. Simply put, he is an unmitigated disaster.

Accordingly, we call for the immediate resignation of Governor Orji for lack of
capacity to govern and/or complicity in the criminal invasion of Abia by armed
gangs. This will not only restore peace and tranquillity to the state but also
remove all visible roadblocks to the conduct of free, fair and credible
elections in the state and the country at large.

But if by June 30, 2010, Governor Orji fails to toe the path of honour by
resigning, we shall mobilize Abia people for non-violent civil disobedience.
This is the time for non-violent revolution. This is the time for the
dislodgement of the criminal gang in Abia led by Governor Orji and his partners
of accursed ways. This is the time for the emancipation of the suffering and
dying people of Abia.




Comrade Chidi Nwosu
President
Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation (HRJPF)

Barrister Ukpai Ukairo
Chairman
Abia Peoples Forum (APF)

Onapuruagu Prince Ukaegbu
President
Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CRPA)


Rev. Emeka Ogbonna
President
Popular Participation Front (PPF)

Comrade David Kalu
Abia State Chairman
Campaign for Democracy (CD)

Pastor Victor Mnenga
Vice President
Centre for the Advancement of Children’s and Women’s Rights (CACWR)

Engineer Amaka Biachi
Executive Director
Centre for Human Empowerment, Advancement and Development (CHEAD)