Date Published: 08/28/11

Why I fell out with Gov T.A Orji -Comrade Akomas
…Deputy Governors Have No Roles
…Jonathan Has Good Intentions

Chris Akomas, former Abia Deputy Governor

Chris Akomas was Abia Deputy Governor, He later resigned under controversial circumstances and  aspired to be governor on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA),  but lost. In this interview in Abuja, comrade Akomas talks about the controversial single tenure, the role of deputy governor, why he fell out with his boss and incumbent Abia Governor, TA Orji, and his vision for the state.

1, Single tenure
It is unfortunate Nigerians are talking like we have abandoned Nigeria to Jonathan, they think there is no merit in the proposal . Is this the first time this has been proposed, No. During the last constitutional conference that brought this dispensation, we submitted a booklet suggesting  the rationalization of MDS and parastatals and the rotational will was attached to our proposal for the six geo political zones. We suggested a five year single tenure. Why. Don't forget representatives of the parties agreed on this proposal. In 30 years the six zones would have had their opportunity and someone said if you do that you won't get the best. Who said so. Is there any zone in this country that can produce someone capable  that can lead this country?who knew that today the president would emerge from a village in Bayelsa. The proposal if adopted will provide stability in the polity. Lets not just dismiss it, lets look critically at the pros and cons of the proposal, not if  it's a Jonathan thing. What do we lose if we adopt it..or the two tenure. The president has good intentions. It is not a Jonathan's idea..We will support it. We forget the NASS will look at it , it's not just an arbitrary thing. Most of our people start campaigning for second term after one year in the first term.

2, My role  as deputy Governor

You know the job of deputy Governor, is to complement the Governor . In my own case, we have 14 cocoa producing states in Nigeria and Abia is one of them, that is under the office of the deputy governor. We have boundary related  issues. Those are the two things you can effectively say I am in charge here as deputy. But to be in charge is not the only thing because you need funding to get things done. Deputy has no fund s under his care so you have to go to the governor cap in hand. Glory be to God in those two areas I performed well. Abia was able to host a cocoa event. Farmers had increased production. More came into cocoa farming. We checkmated potential border crises. We did Abia Anambra demarcation. Completed. Progressed well with Akwa Ibom demarcation, progress in oil well location. Started it as commissioner. When I came as deputy we got good results. The total oil wells returned us increased. But I must point out  that the constitution left the position hollow without much to do. You carry out most times, things assigned to you by the governor.


3, Your relationship with Gov T.A Orji

It was good in the sense that we did not have any personal disagreement, quarrel...our disagreements were mainly political . Effectively on the way things took shape. Irrespective of all went through while I was deputy..lack of this, lack of that, I remained loyal. He never accused me of lack of loyalty until about three weeks after he had left the party ( PPA) on whose platform both of us came to power. We discussed . Ne ver invited me. I told him to go and setle with the powers that be in the party. As deputy I wanted peace. I stand by it. As my boss I would not damage his name, and also won't attack the person who was my boss before him ( Orji Ujor Kalu). I said you guys should make peace. He said he didn't ask me to follow him because he believed I had taken a stand . I was the little  man between. He moved into APGA, and then to PDP. He left me in the PPA.  I was not paid ...being owed N435 million. I had to borrow to carry out activities. While he was in custody I stood for him, collected certificate of return..I refused all temptations because he trusted me. An since it was a convenant  between us, i stood by him till he came out. At a point  as deputy governor, I had no accommodation. After that lies followed, security agents  started investigating frivolous allegations against me.. but truth came out. At one time I approached him and told him I no cash to operate, I said please sir ask them to pay me.

4, Your resignation

They claimed I was impeached.  But this was after I had resigned. It was not true. I resigned 30 th July , on the 2 nd or 3 rd of August they said they impeached me ...a vacant office. I resigned, moved out of the transition camp they gave me as guest house, moved my personal stuff from the office, I was even outside the state. They were all political not personal.

5, if you were governor, or made governor in Future...what would be different

One of the things I said that they used against me  was that I said if I were governor, I know what to do to check insecurity in the state. They said because you know what to do you must know what is going on. While serving we gave counsels at security council and exco levels solutions proffered. When it comes to developmental projects I know what to do. I know the areas of waste.  My Convenat includes...  To collaborate with the security agencies to ensure our collective peace, welfare and security of lives and property.
 , provide the security agencies vehicles, communication gadgets, computers, insurance cover and other general logistics to enhance their efficiency, provide about 100 vehicles fully equipped annually to the security outfits. To assist the police introduce modern security methods and promote traditional system of security/community policing.

On education .Free education [Primary and Secondary,   Payment of School Certificate Examination fees,   ICT for Schools / Laboratory equipments.
 Quality Personnel [through new recruitment, especially of teachers in the critical subjects, training and retraining of teachers. Motivation for teachers in special areas].Timely and consistent payment of teacher's salaries and allowances.,Active and effective Scholarship Board. To introduce new scholarship scheme targeted at the production of highly specified manpower.
Prompt payment of subventions to all tertiary institutions in the state. To expand and improve their infrastructural and facility base. Introduce  Bursary award, build five model schools in each of the three Senatorial Zones. [Two primary, Two JSS, One SSS].

In the area of agriculture..Restoration and regeneration of existing plantations [e.g. Cocoa, Palm, Rubber, Cashew etc], introduce cooperative farming scheme in the state [community-based], Special Youth farms for Special agricultural produce [with export potentials],  due attention to deliver on modern extension services, Prompt Provision of agricultural inputs to farmers e.g. fertilizer, insecticides, chemicals etc.To partner with national and international agricultural research institutes,  attract the private sector in processing of existing agro produce e.g. cashew, rubber, fruits, cocoa etc.Make participation in the FADAMA Programme effective [To aid rice production] etc

 In the Health sector i will equip and provide quality personnel for Primary Health-Care Centres in the State, Take health-care to the markets [build and equip clinics in the markets],  Give adequate attention to issues of immunization, HIV/AIDS, and other key health programmes.make one General Hospital in each of the three senatorial zones a centre of excellence and Special health programme for pregnant women, children ages one – five and the elderly from ages 70 and above.

On infrastructure...Road construction and reconstruction, will be given a great deal of attention,   Reactivate all water schemes in the state. Improve on the reticulation system to include rural communities.,Commence the new Umuahia Project and Also initiate efforts to realise the new Aba Project.
I will Give attention to other sub-urban centres [Growth Centres] e.g. Obehe, Ohafia, Owerrinta, Arochukwu, Umuoba, Mbawsi, Akara, Uzuakoli, Isuochi, Ovim, Lokpanta, Akwete, Azumini, Nenu, Oboro, Ariam, Oloko etc. And Provide electricity to no fewer than 100 communities

Just like what happened in Akwa Ibom, they had a blueprint since the time of Akpan Isemin...Victor Attah came continued, and then Godswill Akpabio took it to another level..everything in Abia is Adhoc...they are not even thought through. At the end they achieve nothing. Umuahia is glorified village..where is the ring road I Umuahia. Several abandoned projects. We need faith based projects. We have best fabricators in Abia, but have been sidelined..we have the best leather and garment industry, but government can't provide conducive environment. Need to encourage entrepreneurial skills...fund that can help them grow.