Who will Save Owerri?
There is something about Owerri that surprises the visitor. And has earned admiration for those who have interacted with her.
I have always admired Owerri. From childhood when it was the town next door. To growing up when it was the exit town for going to high school, University and migration. And also, home coming. And I have seen Owerri flourish as I have grown. From the rusty town that became a state capital in the late 70s. To a town today that has an ambition to become the melting pot of Eastern Nigeria
There is something about Owerri. In one hand an alluring town that welcomes visitors with seductive arms. But also, a destructive streak that sees it flirting with self destruction from season to season. But it also rises in self redemption when it must. Like in 1996 when it rose to chase away the 419ners, the kidnappers and ritual killers that had laid siege on the town. It cleansed itself and set the stage for its renaissance.
There is something about Owerri. That makes it the town with the highest hotels per square kilometer in Nigeria. Yet, on busy periods, its difficult to get a decent room due to capacity. In spite of economic challenges in Nigeria, the town is experiencing a boom of sorts . And new hotels and restaurants are opening up everyday. The town is consuming communities in its vicinity. Driven by yahoo yahoo. Diaspora remittance. And the Nigerian strife forcing easterners to create safer investments near home. And Owerri is home to many.
There is something about Owerri. With a highly educated citizenry. Yet it houses one of the most unproductive government houses in Nigeria. Housing one incompetent chief executive after another. The elite are in in diaspora. And chalatans and crooks have risen to take their place. Visiting untold ineptitude on those left behind.
But there is something happening in Owerri. The contradictions of its call to fame seems destined to sow the roots of its destruction. The story is in different dimensions.
There is the politics of Owerri that has given it a reputation with an unproductive political class. Earning the reputation of one of the worst government houses of the past 20years of democracy. Helping breed hopelessness and youth unemployment and anger.
There is the Igbo anger with Nigeria that has manifested in a secessionist movement that is alluring to the youth of Owerri. Owerri has been one of centers for youth recruitment for those who have disconnected with Nigeria and want anything but Nigeria. Biafra has been sold as the land fought for by their fathers, A land they can call their own. Its hope in the midst of Nigerian hopelessness for these breed of fanatical supporters.
And then there is Hope. Imo people went to vote and thought they had a governor they could manage. And some people in Abuja thought otherwise. And carried out one of the biggest political heists of the Nigerian pollical history. Installing someone who was no where near the finish line in an election. All politicians rig elections and get ahead of their opponents but what happened in Imo was not rigging. This was political robbery . Those that allowed it to happen from Ahuja owe part of the responsibility for how Owerri dies. There is a limit that even the mast brazen robbers cannot cross.
And then there is the supreme leader. Flexing muscle with the Governor. Seeing who will blink first. The Governor has lost this battle before it even started. With little legitimacy, popularity, performance and anything that could help him with the beleaguered people of Owerri, he was the underdog in this fight. His appeal to the federal might was to level the playing field. But that field is now a killing field. Head or tail, the blood flowing in Owerri is mostly Igbo blood. The police, the unknown gunman, the innocent bystander. All victims in a war fought more for turf than for the people.
Owerri is flowing with blood. This town that has seen so much revelry. That has welcomed all. Hosted all. Befriending all. Its hotels will empty soon. Its busy airport will have few flyers. The unknown gunmen have taken over the streets. Dueling with the soldier and the police. Blood sport that kills the willing and the bystander. The body count is mounting.
Who will save Owerri? The politicians? They are waiting for the burial of Hope to take his place. Happy that its him than them. And praying for outcomes that will be in their favor. But I tell you, no outcome will favor anyone. Owerri is spiraling to its death. A dead town is no ones town. Except the undertaker.
Who will save Owerri? The Traditional rulers? Owing their authority from Governors, they have served any master in charge. But today torn between their master and their people who have aligned with the hope for Biafra. They will remain silent. They could murmur in their palaces but dare not raise their voice. They will congratulate whoever wins in this fight. But Owerri is dying. There kingdoms will soon turn into IDP camps. when the street fights make people to flee for safety. And perhaps our Kings will become the keepers of the displaced. And shift their allegiance to those who will fund the wretched of war.
Who will save Owerri? The Diaspora? Their remittances helped Owerri boom. The death of Owerri will create financial dislocation for many. Their investment was an emotional connection to their roots. But they also financed the Supreme one. A Biafra will welcome them home. Its a fight for their freedom. So let the fight come and end. And the defeat of Hope and his federal army will be the beginning of Biafra. But I warn you. Owerri is dying. There will be nothing for you when the town is dead. Unless you want to be an undertaker.
Who will save Owerri? The Youth? They have joined IPOB. They want Biafra. Nigeria has forsaken them. No job. No future. Education in tatters. Children of parents without pensions.? Let Biafra come. We will rebuild Owerri they say. An Owerri of freedom. Centre of the land of the rising Sun. But Owerri may die. And the youth will suffer.
The Federal Government? Buhari has been asleep on the saddle even before he became president. He occasionally wakes up to show he is a general when Nnamdi Kanu irritates him. But after several trips to the UK, I think his Doctors must have advised him not to allow Nnamdi Kanu to irritate him anymore. So don’t expect him to notice anything happening in Owerri. Blood can flow for as long as is possible. Afterall, bandits have virtually taken over his Katsina and threatening to enter Abuja where he is on vacation. That Nigeria chose Buhari to supervise our affairs these past six years will be recorded in history as one of the biggest tragedies of this times and perhaps Nigeria’s history. So Owerri, don’t expect Buhari to come out of Abuja smoking hot like a general to douse the flame burning Owerri.
So Owerri. You are on your own. If you burn down Owerri, you have to rebuild it. Police stations. INEC offices. Prisons. If you let criminality reign in Owerri, you will bear it. You will bury your children who are caught in the crossfire. And those who are killed as police, army or customs. The Unknown gunmen are your children. You will bury them also.
The hotels will close. The revelers will stop coming. Diaspora will stop coming to Owerri with their dollars and pounds. You will be one lonely ghost town. A caricature of your former promise. You are on you own if you destroy yourself.
Tone down this rage. There is enough anger to go around. But don’t turn the anger to yourself. A child cannot bring a war home. You have made your point. No one has monopoly of violence. The government does not have. You have proven that. But head or tail you lose.
We cannot afford to lose Owerri. There is something about her.
