There is rising discontent in some parts of Anambra State in what some citizens call Agulerisation of the state by the governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

The allegation is that Obiano deliberately favoured his town people, Aguleri, in appointments and infrastructure development in the state.

This allegation, which is gaining ground in different social media groups and other forums, has it that the governor has completed about 35 roads in Aguleri while leaving many other roads in the state in a state of disrepair.

An indigene of the state (name withheld) said, “So bad! In Peter Obi’s eight years, he completed just six roads within Agulu. This is statesmanship in government, recognizing that other parts of Anambra need roads too.

“In less than one year, Obiano has completed over 35 roads in Aguleri and three in other parts of Anambra State.

“If you give him another four years, he will move the capital of Anambra to Aguleri, which he has even started by evacuating Awka light to Aguleri.”

The governor’s critics also accuse him of not doing roads in neighbouring towns such as Umueri. It is the same scenario in Enugwu Ukwu where his deputy comes from, as the last road started by former governor Obi is said to have remained uncompleted. The situation is reportedly the same in many parts of the state.

Some of the roads Obiano did in Aguleri include:

Chief Willie Obiano Street

Osodieme Lane

Cletus Asike Street

Ever Obiano Street

Okike Lane

Chief H.M Onwuegbuke Str

Meze Idigo Str

John Ivenso Street

River Boulivard

Peter Okonkwo Manafa Street

Akorah Street

Rev Nnebo Street

Igwe Idigo Street

Manafa Road

Omambala Street

Justice Ra Chinwuba Street

Chiatula Street

Manafa Crescent

Aloy Makolu Lane

Jn Onwubuya Str

Pius Idigo Street

A resident of Awka, the state capital, Onyekwere Onwueme, told NewsProbe that people were criticising Buhari for marginalising the Southeast in political appointments, yet right before their eyes, a worse scenario was playing out. According to him, what remains to be done is to rename Anambra, Aguleri State.

Another respondent, who would not want his name mentioned to avoid victimisation, reeled out different appointments and contracts awarded in the state and concluded that 80 per cent of these went to Aguleri people while the rest of the state shared the remaining 20 per cent.

An Awka-based journalist, Mazi Oderaigbo, alleged that the state government was assembling the streetlight that would be mounted on the completed Aguleri roads in Fr. Joseph secondary school, Aguleri.

He further alleged that 80 per cent of the numerous Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, and Personal Assistants to governor Obiano, are from Aguleri and environs.

However, there are some people who feel that the governor is doing his best. They particularly cite the N20 million he gave to town unions in the state as an example. But this, according to Odera, is to douse tension and prevent people from questioning the governor’s style of governance.

Attempts to get the reaction of Obiano’s media adviser, James Eze, to some of the allegations failed as he did not respond to the message sent to him last Wednesday on the issue.

•Sourced from NewsProbe online newspaper.

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