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By Gloria Ikibah

The Office of the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives has responded to a recent media statement issued by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser on Media to Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, describing it as “propaganda designed to distract from the state’s governance failures.”

The statement, titled “Governance in Abia: Benjamin Kalu Needs Tutorials More Than He Needs a Microphone,” had targeted the Deputy Speaker and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, following his remarks at a meeting of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Umuahia on Sunday, 5 October 2025.

At the event, Kalu had expressed confidence that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over the leadership of Abia State in 2027, citing what he described as the poor performance of the current administration “despite increased and improved finances.”

Responding to Otti’s media aide, the Deputy Speaker’s office criticised the state government for “resorting to propaganda and personal attacks” rather than addressing the substantive issues raised about governance and public accountability.

“Rather than heeding the call of the indefatigable Deputy Speaker, who has attracted so much to the State through his legislative sagacity, the Otti administration has resorted to blatant propaganda and personal attacks which starkly contrast with the pressing issues raised,” the statement read.

The Deputy Speaker’s office noted that it had expected “constructive answers that speak to a governance style capable of tackling Abia’s challenges” rather than “responses laced with theatrics.”

It argued that the Otti administration’s shortcomings are visible to the public, adding that it is both the duty of the opposition and the right of citizens to demand accountability.

“The Otti administration’s failure to deliver on its promises is evident. The people of Abia will continue to demand transparency, accountability, and tangible results from their government,” the statement said.

The Deputy Speaker’s office maintained its earlier position on the financial state of Abia, stating that the government receives about ₦38 billion monthly, with “minimal development to show for it.”

The statement concluded that the response from the Deputy Speaker’s office was intended “to set the record straight by exposing the contradictions, failures, and falsehoods of a government that has replaced genuine governance with public relations theatrics.”

According to the Abia State Government’s own Q2 2025 Financial Report published on its official website (abiastate.gov.ng), the state receives an average of ₦38 billion monthly from FAAC allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), and various federal interventions such as flood relief and agricultural support, LNG dividends etc

In QT2 ( April to June 2025) Abia received over ₦114 billion, yet the state remains visibly underdeveloped. From crumbling schools and dilapidated roads to unpaid pensions /gratuities and a collapsing healthcare system, there is no evidence of meaningful progress commensurate with Amount received monthly.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was, therefore, absolutely correct by saying that Abia State received much as ₦38 billion every month within the QTR 2 2025, but the people have nothing to show for it.

2) The Exchange Rate Excuse: Poor Defense for Failure

The administration of Governor Alex Otti has repeatedly cited exchange rate fluctuations as the reason for its lack of performance. However, this excuse is not tenable in the light of the realities in other states. Enugu, Anambra, and Imo, operating under the same economic conditions are actively commissioning landmark and signature projects such as roads, flyovers, housing estates, and healthcare projects. Exchange rate variations cannot explain Abia’s stagnation, particularly when the problem lies not solely in the economy but in mismanagement and misplaced priorities. Even recurrent expenditures like salaries and pensions, which are unaffected by exchange rate fluctuations, show glaring inefficiencies.

Most disturbing is the fact that Abia remains the only state in Nigeria that has not paid a single kobo in gratuity, despite receiving nearly ₦1 trillion since June 2023. Instead of addressing this injustice, the Otti administration coerced retirees into forfeiting over ₦70 billion in entitlements. This only exposes the hypocrisy of a government that keeps sloganeering “New Abia” without living it.

3) Minimum Wage and Workers Welfare: Governance Without Empathy

While other states have fully implemented or even exceeded the ₦70,000 minimum wage, Abia’s civil servants are left languishing in economic hardship. Workers at the Abia State Teaching Hospital still earn ₦29,000 monthly, while newly recruited Nurses receive a paltry ₦80,000, far below the CONHESS-approved ₦340,000 already implemented in other states. Civil servants have continued to face delayed payments, arbitrary deductions, and intimidation for speaking out. How can a government that preaches “compassion and reform” treat its workers worse than its predecessors?

4) Workforce and Expenditure: The Mystery of Missing Billions

Abia’s total workforce, including local government employees, stands at about 67,000 workers. Yet the state government consistently presents incomplete figures, often mentioning only the State civil servants while excluding local government workers. Even after retrenching over 10,000 workers under the guise of restructuring, the government’s own financial report shows that ₦6.7 billion is spent monthly on salaries leaving roughly ₦31.3 billion unaccounted for every month. The critical question remains: What exactly is the Abia State Government doing with the remaining billions? The administration has provided no answers, only excuses. Transparency, it appears, is not part of its governance vocabulary.

5) The Loan Scandal: Borrowing Without Accountability

The National Assembly recently approved a $263.8 million African Development Bank (AfDB) syndicated loan for Abia State, with the Islamic Development Bank already disbursing $125 million of that amount. Yet, despite this massive financial injection, there is no trace of corresponding development on the ground.

No landmark or Iconic project, no transformative infrastructure, and no strategic investment have emerged from this borrowing spree. If these funds were truly utilized for development, Abia would not still be grappling with pothole-ridden roads and derelict public institutions. The Deputy Speaker’s concerns are not political; they are patriotic. He spoke for the silent majority of Abians who are tired of being deceived by propaganda.

6) The Propaganda of Progress: Media Hype Without Substance

Perhaps the most defining feature of the Otti administration is its obsession with propaganda. Every week, the state is bombarded with staged photo ops, glossy documentaries, and well-scripted speeches that celebrate imaginary achievements. Yet, beyond the cameras, the reality of life in Abia remains grim. Schools are in shambles, hospitals lack essential facilities, roads are deteriorating, and the economy is stagnant. Governance has become a performance rather than a responsibility.

While the government spends fortunes curating social media narratives, ordinary Abians are struggling to survive. The administration’s communication machinery may be efficient, but its governance record is an utter failure.

The Deputy Speaker’s comments were neither personal nor political. They were a sober reflection of the truth Abians already know. His call for accountability should have been welcomed, not attacked.

The Alex Otti administration must stop chasing critics and start delivering results. With ₦38 billion flowing into its coffers every month, multiple federal interventions, and international loans at its disposal, Abia State has no excuse to remain in this state of decay. The people cannot be hoodwinked forever. The era of deceit and propaganda is gone. We urge the citizens of Abia to see through the propaganda and demand better governan

But whatever happens, Otti’s administration needs not to be reminded that APC is poised to win Abia State in 2027. The party remains committed to serving the people of Abia with integrity and transparency.