Ikpeazu’s April fool broadcast of false claims and plight of Abia workers

By CHIDIEBERE OGBO

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D, finally spoke to his constituency on the 1st of April, 2020.

Amongst his claims was that he had paid civil servants salaries since the 30th of March 2020.

I stand to be corrected that as I write, the local government workers of Abia State are yet to be paid their January 2020 salaries not to talk of the minimum wage. And this is what baffles me. Is it that His Excellency intentionally told this barefaced lies to Abians or that he was not properly briefed or that those saddled with the task are not aware of the needs of the time?

Otherwise, how could a Governor that has not paid January salary declare a lockdown? Are they praying that people die of hunger instead of the dreaded coronavirus?

Another thing that baffles me is the silence from those who should speak for the people. Everywhere is the deafening silence of unease. I can only excuse Dr Alex Otti, who has done his bit. If he speaks, it could be said that it was because he lost the election.

But the truth most be spoken: pay up salaries to workers so that their families will not die of hunger and starvation in these dire times.

Finally, Abians should thank God for his grace and mercy and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON), for the proactive measures he took in Rivers State which helped their border neighbour Abia State. Forget this last-minute April fool broadcast of my Governor.

•Chidiebere Ogbo, a concerned Abian, writes from Abia State