Unknown Gunmen: I’m Glad Elections Held In Most Communities In Southeast

By Chichi Eriobu

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I’m glad that yesterday’s elections held in most communities in the South East.

I have shuttled Anambra in the last two months, and I’ve been angry for the fact that people have become “so okay” with sitting at home on a Monday morning without working or opening up shops for business.

This “so okay” feeling is the same attitude that many people in the South East have attached into other things as regards to the region.

One person in another part of the world would make a declaration of sit-at-home and nobody would question it.

Yet, the region remains insignificant in development and strategic business opportunities.

And we stay confused, and turn our Mondays to prayers days instead of strategy days.

Onitsha has one of the highest number of “prayer ministries” in different corners, and at the same time one of the cities with a higher number of poor people and streets in terms of development.

With many existing building structures dating back to more than 30 years without renovations, yet the landlords keep increasing rents and the people not fighting it.

Anambra has a very high cost of living compared to Lagos, and I say this with clear facts.

Something as basic as a bag of pure water is sold for 300 naira or 350 naira in many parts of Anambra, and it is supposedly for the “poor masses”. Same bag of pure water is sold for 200 naira or less in some parts of Lagos.

The second day after I got into Onitsha to prepare for my Mum’s burial, armed robbers robbed a Barbing Salon in my street.

Four guys with Long guns in a Keke. I mean, a Keke is now used for that kind of robbery, and in broad daylight.

So the state is dealing with “unknown gunmen” and “daylight robbers”. And one crazy person is still instituting sit-at-home.

I’m glad the army was sent there, and that they voted.

This may be the beginning of light and hope for South East.

Because to even move around so freely in my hometown isn’t that easy. But thanks to the army checkpoint between Nnewi and Amichi, there’s been some sanity of recent.

@views exclusive rights: Chechi Eriobu, writes from Anambra State, February 26, 2023.