A Lagos-based public relations expert who on Sunday visited Abia State for the first time in a long while has extended his sympathies to the people of the state over what he described as the disastrous rulership of Governor Theodore Orji.

Emeka Oparah wrote early yesterday morning on his Facebook wall: “I was in Abia State yesterday. Driving around Umuahia and then to and from Arochukwu, I felt very sorry for the people of that state. They have been wickedly conned.”

Later in the day, Oparah, who hails from neighbouring Imo State, wrote: “After visiting Umuahia yesterday and Aba today, I’ve come to the unfortunate conclusion that Abia cannot be God’s Own State. On the contrary, it’s Devil’s Own State. Otherwise, how can one explain the fact that the two major cities (Aba and Umuahia) and Arochukwu, home to some of the top dogs in the state, are so scandalously underdeveloped?”

Oparah lamented that, in view of TA Orji’s anointing of an average manager as his successor, the next eight years may not be different from what Abians have since 2007 suffered under the man who is generally rated as one of the worst among Nigeria’s 36 state governors.

“So, Abia may remain the same for another 8 years, if almighty God, to whom they pledge so much allegiance, does not come to their rescue ASAP,” he wrote, concluding with “Ndi Abia ndo nu. (Sorry, Abia people.) Chai.”

•Photo shows Abia Governor TA Orji.