More facts have emerged on how Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, was disgraced and booed in the commercial city of Aba during the burial of the pioneer Catholic Bishop of the Aba Diocese, Most Rev. Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia, last Friday.

Incensed by the utter neglect of the city by the governor since he took over the reins of power in the state in 2007, the citizens who numbered in their thousands literally poured their pent-up frustrations and venom on him. But for the security cordon thrown around him, Abia State and indeed Nigeria would have witnessed an unprecedented ugly spectacle. Part of the grouse of the mob that surged towards him immediately he entered the cathedral of the Christ the King Church, where the holy high mass for the burial of the Bishop was being held, was his effrontery in coming to the city after neglecting it since he assumed power in 2007, and for his legendary woeful performance in office.

Not even pleas and entreaties from the clergymen could pacify the enraged crowd.

Amidst the confusion and cacophony of noises, there were clear chants of disenchantment and derision.

Some of the chants, which soared above all others, were: ‘Betrayer’, ‘Judas Iscariot.’ ‘Despite all that Orji Kalu did for you, you betrayed him and ended with very poor performance in office for eight years’, ‘Go back home’, ‘We don’t need you here’.

Efforts by officials of the church to manage the situation by appealing for restraint, and deploying religious sentiments for effect largely failed, as such entreaties angered the people the more and temporarily held up the event for tempers to calm down.

Government officials who tried to put up a bold face to ride the storm by attempting to set up the State Box for the governor to make his speech met a stiff resistance from the hostile crowd and hurriedly retreated with the box.

Taking a cue from the prevailing situation, and afraid that the ceremony could be disrupted on account of the disdain for Governor Orji, the officials refrained from mentioning his name again. But this antic did not sufficiently assuage the people.

Deafening murmurs and noises could be heard in the congregation, suggesting a seething trouble. And it did not take long for it to explode. The stout opposition to stop Orji from speaking at the event was just a rehearsal.

His real ordeal began shortly after as the late Bishop was interred, and he made his way to his car to leave. The huge crowd of worshippers surged towards the governor, booing him uncontrollably and calling him derisive names, including ‘bad man’, ‘betrayer’, ‘non-performer’, ‘wicked man’.

The Abia Governor was shielded by security men who shoved him into the car. He was sandwiched by two security men in the car, as the convoy tried to make its way out. As the convoy, which was complete with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, entered the main road towards Asa Road, the restive crowd followed, chanting in the proverbial manner of a lawbreaker who had been caught and was being taken to the king or shrine for judgment and punishment.

The huge crowd was joined by more people who trooped out from adjoining streets and bedlam took over. Orji was to be subjected to the biggest humiliation of his stay in office when they began pelting him with water sachets.

Aba erupted in silted joy after the drama as many residents thronged the streets to hail and congratulate one another for what they called their “patriotic and heroic acts”. Some of the people who spoke to Sunday Sun said they were happy and somehow relieved that the people told the governor in clear and unmistaken terms that they were tired of his lethargic and uninspiring performance in office.

They said, “After neglecting the city completely, he had the audacity to come here, thinking that his security and the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) would save him. Orji Uzor Kalu’s legacies especially on road construction in the city have been rubbished. He abandoned the city totally. We are waiting for April 11 to pay him back.”

Another angry resident berated him thus: “Some people have no shame. You betrayed your predecessor who did his best for you and for the state, and you also betrayed the people.”

The drama of sorts has been the subject of discussion in homes, markets, churches and relaxation centres.

•Excerpted from a Sunday Sun report. Photo shows Governor TA Orji.