Between 1999 and 2003, when Chief Orji Uzor Kalu served as Governor of Abia State, Umuahia was still developing and honestly looked more like a glorified village than a modern state capital. I say this as someone whose roots are fully in Umuahia. My father, my mother, and my grandparents are all from Umuahia. I come from the three major clans that make up Umuahia, so this is not an outsider’s view or someone speaking from abroad. It is the voice of someone who saw things as they were and as they changed.
Before 1999, the major roads in Umuahia were those constructed during the era of Dee Sam Mbakwe through FFN Construction Company. These included important roads like Okigwe Road, Niger Road, Enugu Road, Aba Road, and Azikiwe Road. Those were major highways, not inner streets. One very important achievement of that earlier period was the construction of canals and drainage systems that helped control erosion in the capital city. These efforts laid a foundation, but much of Umuahia was still underdeveloped, especially the inner streets and residential areas.
When Kalu became governor, he embarked on what can best be described as real urban renewal. At the time, most streets in Umuahia, especially around the Over Rail and New Layout areas, were muddy, dusty, and covered with red soil. During the dry season, dust filled the air and entered homes, making life uncomfortable. During the rainy season, those same roads became muddy and difficult to pass. It affected daily life, businesses, health, and the general environment.
Governor Kalu then changed that reality. Streets such as Ekwuruke, Obowo, Cameroon, Oboro, Oji River, Afara, Ogbulafor, Uwalaka, Orlu, Igbere, and many others were constructed and properly tarred. These were not just political showcase projects; they were roads where people lived, worked, and raised families. By tarring these streets, he reduced dust, improved sanitation, and made neighborhoods more livable. Residents of Umuahia were relieved, and the city began to take on the look of a true state capital.
The quality of those roads speaks for itself. Many of the roads constructed between 1999 and 2003 are still strong and usable today. This shows that the work was done with durability in mind, not just for quick praise. Beyond Umuahia, Governor Kalu also carried out extensive road construction in Aba and opened up many rural roads across Abia State, connecting communities that had long been neglected. These rural roads improved farming, trade, and movement, helping the local economy grow.
Beyond infrastructure, one of Governor Kalu’s most important but often forgotten contributions was security. At a time when many states struggled with rising crime and instability, Abia State under Kalu enjoyed relative peace. He worked closely with security agencies and traditional institutions to maintain law and order. His administration supported the police and other security outfits, ensuring they had the backing needed to operate effectively. This helped create an environment where businesses could function, people could move freely, and investors felt confident coming into the state.
Kalu was also very accessible to the people. He did not distance himself from ordinary citizens. He was known for moving around without bulletproof vehicles. His official vehicle was often a coaster bus, which he shared with aides, friends, and associates as he moved around the state for official duties. This simple lifestyle sent a strong message of confidence and trust, and it also helped him understand the real needs and fears of the people, including security concerns at the grassroots level.
His leadership style earned him widespread admiration. During President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first official visit to Abia State, he publicly referred to Orji Uzor Kalu as the “Action Governor.” This was not a casual compliment. It reflected the visible pace of development, the energy of the administration, and the sense that Abia State was moving forward.
At that time, Kalu was genuinely loved by Ndi Abia. People could see and feel governance in their daily lives. Markets were active, roads were opening up, and there was a sense of pride in the state. Importantly, he did not claim that he alone built Abia State. He built on what he met and added his own contributions, just as governance should be.
This is why it is unhealthy for any government to claim that its predecessors did nothing. Government is a continuum. No administration starts from nothing, and no administration finishes everything. Each one lays seeds, and others come to harvest and plant new ones. To deny the efforts of previous governments is to insult the intelligence and memories of the people who lived through those periods.
We have seen better examples elsewhere. In Akwa Ibom State, successive governors have handed over to one another without publicly discrediting past administrations. That culture promotes unity, stability, and respect. Abia State deserves the same maturity in leadership and public communication.
Today, Abia feels deeply divided because of how political narratives are being pushed. This division does not help development or security. Despite all the noise, governance should be judged by facts and results, not propaganda. Every government that has served Abia State has contributed in its own way. The present government is also contributing its quota, and that is appreciated.
As Ndi Abia, our first loyalty should be to our state, not to political interests. Orji Uzor Kalu played a significant role in building Abia State, improving infrastructure, maintaining security, and giving the people a sense of belonging and confidence in government. Those facts should be acknowledged honestly.
Governments will come and go, but Abia State will remain. Let us defend our political views with civility, speak the truth without hatred, and always remember that development grows best in an atmosphere of love, respect, and unity. Long live Abia State.
Rubby Obinna
Jan. 25, 2026.