By Chinedu Adonu
For decades, the people of Umabor Eha-Alumonah in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have remained faithful to successive governments. They voted during elections, supported political leaders and patiently waited for the dividends of democracy.
Today, many residents say that patience has yielded disappointment.
Across the community, crumbling school buildings, dilapidated roads, poorly equipped health facilities and worsening insecurity tell a clear story of abandonment and broken promises.
Recently, frustration boiled over when hundreds of youths staged a protest, demanding urgent government intervention and warning that politicians seeking votes ahead of the 2027 general elections may no longer receive a warm welcome.
For many residents, the protest was far more than a reaction to bad roads or neglected public infrastructure. It was the collective voice of a community determined to draw attention to years of perceived marginalisation.
At the centre of their grievances is the Agu-Umabor Road, a vital route that residents say has deteriorated into a nightmare for motorists, traders, students and farmers.
According to community members, the deplorable condition of the road has crippled economic activities, restricted access to healthcare and education, and heightened security risks.
Residents also allege that the poor state of the road has made the area vulnerable to attacks by suspected herdsmen and other criminal elements who exploit the difficult terrain.
Neglect of education sector presents another serious, painful reality
Several public schools within the community are reportedly in a state of disrepair, with leaking roofs, cracked walls and learning environments many parents consider unsuitable for children.
While acknowledging the state government’s Smart School initiative, residents argue that many children in remote villages cannot benefit from the programme because of distance, transportation difficulties and safety concerns.
For Utonwa Michael, a concerned indigene, the issue goes beyond infrastructure.
“Education is a fundamental right, and no child should be disadvantaged because of where they live,” he said, urging government authorities to rehabilitate existing schools within the community.
Another resident, Christian Nnaemeka, believes Umabor’s situation reflects a wider pattern in which political promises often fail to translate into tangible development.
“Our roads are in poor condition, many of our schools need serious attention, and security remains a growing concern,” he lamented.
His remarks resonate with many residents who say their community is frequently remembered during election campaigns but forgotten once political offices are secured.
The spokesperson of the Umabor Unity Forum, Comrade Emmanuel Uzoh Ugwueze, described the condition of public infrastructure in the area as heartbreaking and called for immediate intervention.
According to him, repeated appeals to successive administrations have yielded little progress, leaving residents with no option but to continue speaking out.
As Enugu State pursues ambitious development projects across different sectors, the people of Umabor insist they are not asking for special treatment.
Rather, they seek what they describe as the basic dividends of democracy available to other communities: good roads, functional schools, accessible healthcare and adequate security.
According to them, the recent protest represents more than public dissatisfaction. It is a declaration that years of silence have given way to a determined demand for inclusion, development and social justice.
