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Clarify how you spent N54bn on school renovation -Abia APC chieftain queries Otti
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa and Prosper Olayiwola
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has called on Governor Alex Otti to provide clarity on the alleged ₦54 billion school renovation expenditure, accusing him of distracting the public with contradictions.
Governor Otti, during his monthly media chat last weekend, dismissed claims that ₦54 billion was missing from the state treasury, describing the allegations as baseless and stemming from ignorance about government budgeting and spending.
Reacting in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ujo Justice, Ikonne questioned why a governor who prides himself on having “seasoned accountants” in his administration would contradict his own government’s records.
He insisted that Abians deserve answers on “where the schools are, and where the ₦54 billion went.”
The APC stalwart recalled that similar sums had been earmarked in the past, including ₦18 billion reportedly set aside for school renovations, with little to show on the ground.
Citing a recent online investigative report, Ikonne noted that official budget
performance documents contradict Otti’s claims.
According to the report, Abia State recorded ₦54.066 billion spent on rehabilitation and repairs of public schools in the last quarter of 2024 alone, while total expenditure for the fiscal year stood at ₦58.323 billion.
Ikonne argued that if the governor insists only ₦2.1 billion was spent on schools, then he must explain why his own administration’s records show otherwise.
He further pointed to the approved 2024 budget, which allocated ₦64.7 billion for the renovation or modelling of 51 schools, averaging ₦1.26 billion per school — a figure he said raises more questions than answers.
The APC leader urged Governor Otti to be transparent and accountable, stressing that education is too critical an issue for Abians to be left in the dark.
“This data,” Ikonne stressed, “makes it clear that the governor is either deliberately misleading Abians or is unaware of what his government is signing off.”
He welcomed the Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), which is demanding a breakdown of the ₦54 billion, including the list of schools supposedly renovated, their names, locations, and the nature of works done.
“Governor Otti should stop hiding behind semantics. Budgets are estimates, but expenditures are facts. The documents clearly show ₦54 billion was reported as spent between October and December 2024. If he disputes this, let him publish the schools. Abians are not asking for excuses — we are asking for evidence,” Ikonne said.
The APC chieftain concluded by urging the governor to prioritize truth over propaganda. He added that Dr. Otti should realize that leadership is about accountability, not storytelling. He cannot claim to be the face of transparency while avoiding the simplest of questions: show us the schools.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a city-wide desilting of drainage channels following heavy torrential rainfalls that triggered flash floods across parts of the nation’s capital.
Inspecting the ongoing clearance operations along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said the exercise was directed by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The directive followed a flash flood that flooded the Airport Expressway on Tuesday.
According to Dauda, the effort is to mitigate flood risks during the peak of the rainy season.
Dauda noted that while recent downpours align with earlier meteorological warnings and climate change trends, the Abuja Master Plan inherently recognises certain areas, including the Airport Expressway axis as flood plains.
He assured residents that while resilient infrastructure was originally built to handle high water volumes, human activities have severely compromised its efficiency.
“Some of these drainage facilities over time have been silted. Part of the cause is residents dumping refuse into drainage channels.
“When rain falls, it washes down polythene bags, waste, and even large objects that block the outlets,” he said.
Dauda highlighted two major human factors aggravating the flash floods: illegal development and widespread infrastructure vandalism.
Exposing a major choke point along the expressway, Dauda pointed to a triple-cell box culvert meant to discharge a powerful stream flowing from the Galadima Roundabout.
He explained that a private developer had illegally constricted the waterway further downstream by constructing retaining walls to expand a personal plot.
“What that causes is that the volume of water that ought to pass no longer passes, causing detention, backflow, and eventual flooding.
“To restore adequate discharge capacity, we must remove the structures built by this developer,” he said.
Dauda also decried the theft of metal gully inlet covers by vandals, which allows large debris to flow directly into underground drains instead of being sieved at the surface.
“When vandals steal these covers, it’s like stealing from yourself as a taxpayer,” he remarked.
To permanently curb the theft, he revealed that the FCDA is exploring replacement materials made from non-recyclable compounds rather than steel or cast iron.
The FCDA boss confirmed that workers were already desilting trapezoidal drains, U-channels, and culvert outlets along the Airport Expressway, with plans to reconstruct damaged points where necessary.
Dauda urged Abuja residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways, warning that government infrastructure can only protect the city if public cooperation is guaranteed.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has began disilting of accumulated silt, sand and other objects blocking drains are being removed.
Men from FCTA were captured on camera as they clear blockades caused by flood.
See photos below:
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 3rd September 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 3rd September 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1403 and buy at ₦1395 on Thursday, 3rd September, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1405
Buying Rate ₦1395
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1335
Lowest Rate ₦1326
Flooding: FCTA begins desilting of drains, warns against vandalism, illegal structures
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