The All Progressives Congress in Abia state has noticed a disturbing pattern in Abia State, the moment you demand accountability, you are immediately targeted, bullied, and insulted by agents of Governor Alex Otti. The Governor appears deeply uncomfortable with scrutiny and quick to deploy his attack machinery against anyone who dares to question the high level fraud, lack of transparency and misgovernance being experienced in the state.
Unfortunately, no one is spared from this coordinated onslaught, not even those who assisted him to power.
Recently, Governor Otti’s agents were all over the media space attacking and insulting Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a man whom the Governor himself once openly eulogized. It therefore came as no surprise when these same attack dogs were unleashed on the APC State Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, for daring to expose the glaring mismanagement of the state and its resources under the current administration.
What clearer definition of mismanagement exists than the present reality in Abia State where the state reportedly earns an average of ₦60 billion monthly, yet citizens are struggling to survive?
It is both ironic and alarming to hear the government’s spokesman claim that “Abia was the first state to pay the new minimum wage,” what an audacious liar, it is common knowledge that this administration has elevated propaganda to a governance tool, More troubling is a government that not only tells lies but appears to believe their own lies.
To date, the Abia State Government has yet to fully implement the federally approved minimum wage. We remain in constant touch with civil servants, and records clearly show that Abia workers are among the poorest paid in the Southeast and indeed among the lowest paid nationwide. For instance, while a Grade Level 7 officer in Imo State earns about ₦145,000, their counterpart in Abia earns between ₦80,000-₦90,000. What better definition of wickedness and insensitivity to citizens’ welfare?
It is also public knowledge that local governments in Abia receive between ₦450 million and ₦600 million monthly. Yet, not a single local government can point to a project worth ₦50 million in the past two years they have been in office. This raises serious concerns about the diversion of funds meant for grassroots development.
While funds meant for the development of local governments are being stolen, Signature Bank has reportedly surpassed the ₦50 billion recapitalization threshold, emerging as one of the fastest growing banks in Nigeria despite having no visible customer base beyond the Abia State Government. The implications are deeply troubling to any discerning mind.
Governor Otti came to power promising transparency and accountability. Today, however, contracts worth billions are allegedly awarded to associates and cronies from his Umuehim Nvosi residence without due process or the involvement of the appropriate government agencies, as required by law.
The truth remains that no extraordinary development is happening in Abia State as people are being deceived to believe when compared to the massive allocations being released to subnationals by the APC led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These increased revenues have enabled many states to improve workers’ welfare and meet their obligations. Yet, in Abia under the Labour Party, some workers still earn as low as ₦30,000 to ₦50,000 monthly. This is unacceptable.
As a responsible opposition, we cannot sit idly-by while retirees are being forced to forfeit their entitlements, civil servants are subjected to hardship and poor welfare conditions, and the state continues to underperform despite enormous financial inflows while engaging the media and skit makers to project lies and falsehood as against reality.
Why is Governor Otti withholding the truth from his appointees, or are they deliberately choosing to live in denial? Has the Governor forgotten that his emergence was largely a product of political conspiracy from aggrieved PDP and APC chieftains who worked against their parties out of anger to give him the victory he enjoys alone today, and not from popular votes? Or has he become so power drunk that to have forgotten so quickly?
Governor Otti and his attack dogs should know that the APC will not be intimidated or silenced. The demand for transparency and accountability is non-negotiable.
Hon. Chijioke Chukwu is not a chairman who can be bullied into submission. He remains resolute in his mission to lead the party to victory and liberate Abia State from the shackles of a fraudulent and failing administration.
Gov. Alex Chioma Otti, while you are still struggling for a platform let me make it abundantly clear that Under the leadership of Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, the APC will reclaim Abia state, starting from the 3 senatorial seats, 8 House of Representative Seats, 24 House of Assembly Seats and take over the Abia Government House in 2027.
Uche Aguoru
Publicity Secretary
Abia APC
