Pitobi must feel like a champion, just because he does not like the Lagos-Calabar Superhighway. But not so fast, says Works Minister David Umahi, who saw through his ethnic catcalls.
Umahi asked Pitobi to reconcile his past with his noise. As Anambra State governor, he said he would demolish structures without compensation. He is a hypocrite and a shameless one at that for saying that Umahi is costing people livelihoods when the people are mostly happy to submit their properties. Landmark is not even the biggest loser. The person came out last week with a cheerful face and cooperation in public.
Meanwhile, some TV hosts who attacked Umahi forgot to comment on Obi’s pharisaic hustling and quake for attention. He should learn from present Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, the boom of Anambra orchestra. Within nine months, he built 287 kilometres of roads, more than what Pitobi did in eight years. And there is no issue about lack of compensation with Soludo. Just last week, Reno Omokri exposed him that he spent $30 million to build a brewery so Anambrarians could get inebriated and lose bearing while he built not a single classroom in eight years. Soludo has already recruited over five thousand teachers. How many did you recruit, Pitobi?
If he is afraid of Lagos-Calabar Superhighway like some of its critics, I can only say like the Americans, “be very afraid.” He can’t stop it. He loves peddling figures about jobs lost. Has he calculated how many jobs will be gained? He does not know what is called disruptive thinking. He is a trader and knows only profit and loss, like his Abuja supermarket started when he was governor. He loathes imaginative overhaul of affairs. People like him could never do roads that can change business fundamentally. He never did one in Anambra. He has an analog mindset in a digital era. He is saying we should only build the existing ones. He is not fair to Umahi. Did he not see Umahi berating the contractor on East-West Road? Does that look like neglect? Has he not enumerated roads absorbing his attention and plans? Is work not at the finishing stages on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway? Pitobi should clip his lips. He is claiming ethnic neutrality? Did he not play the ethnic and religious cards last year? Did it work? Of course, he rallied ethnic hegemons, but not enough. He invoked pastors, but no victory anointed. Now, he is wearing kaftan and breaking Muslim fasts. He is an irreconcilable difference in one person. He cannot reconcile himself with himself. He is Muslim today, and pastor tomorrow.
