OPINON: Wilcox School And The Growing Threat of Authoritarian Governance in Abia
The decision of the Abia State Government to takeover Wilcox Schools in a commando style has again brought to the fore the proclivity and preference of the Otti-led government for authoritarianism and a total contempt for the rule of law.
Abia under Governor Otti is increasingly being reduced to a territory where the whims and fancies of the governor prevail by force even if such persuasions are unjust, ultra vires or against public opinion.
An authoritarian government is one which believes people should obey it’s instructions and orders even when such orders are unfair, discriminatory and sometimes outrightly unlawful.
Authoritarian regimes therefore ride roughshod over laid down procedures, and invariably usurp and trample upon the powers of the other arms of government.
From what is available to the public, Mission Schools earlier commandeered by the Military Government of Ukpabi Asika were in 2012 under the administration of Chief T.A. ORJI returned to their bonafide and rightful owners. And Certificates of Return were issued to the respective original owners. And one of such schools, the Wilcox Memorial Secondary School was handed back to the Authorities of the United Evangelical Church (founded as Qua Iboe Church).
The United Evangelical Church after running their school for about a decade, and being unable to meet the challenge of infrastructural decay and overhead costs sought the partnership of private investors.
The scale of abandonment and dilapidation had reduced the educational institutions to some famous safe haven for criminal minded young men and women. And the entire student population had dwindled to less than 30
The Church authorities were therefore desirous of a partnership that could revamp the school and upgrade it’s facilities to meet the demands of our new tech era.
Following lengthy negotiations to accommodate all issues of concern (including the retention of the name Wilcox)the Board of Trustees of the Church leased the School to Christalkleen Ltd.
Christalkleen was not only bound to upgrade the school infrastructure within a given time frame,it was also bound to pay annual rent on the lease.
In less than two years of implementing this lease agreement (which Abia government’s propaganda refers to as ‘sale’) the developing partners are said to have invested heavily on revamping the school thereby turning around the fortunes of Wilcox And the United Evangelical Church which has two of its leaders as members of the new School Board are said to be delighted at the turn of events.
Then comes in Abia Government with their chatter of demand.
“Mission Schools handed back to the missions should be returned back to government because the missions partnered private developers to help in upgrading the dilapidated school infrastructure.
And Government must begin with Wilcox. That is the order of Abia state government. No questions to ascertain the nature of contract; no procedural engagements. Fullstop.
Now, Questions for the Otti-led government. Which part of the agreement between the Abia state Government and The United Evangelical Church did the latter breach? Evidence please.
What title right does Abia state Government have over Wilcox,or any other returned Mission Schools?
Are there any breaches of contract between the private developers and the UEC? Did any of the parties complain to you?
Is it procedurally correct to pounce on the Authorities of the Wilcox Schools without any prior engagement with the Trustees of the United Evangelical Church?
I therefore call on the government of Abia state to immediately retrace it’s steps and stop disrupting the academic progress of Abia children. The Government should not be seen as having reduced itself to an institution for executing personal vendetta,or for selective victimization. It is a government, and should take immediate steps to restore that image.
Ctz. Moses A Orji, public affairs analyst writes from Abia state
