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Says propaganda has replaced governance
By Jude Opara, Abuja
A group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state has challenged Governor Alex Otti to explain how his government allegedly spent N54 billion on the renovation of public schools in the state.
The group operating under the aegis of the Abian’s Best Interest Association (ABIA), also warned the governor not to contemplate joining the APC in the state because he is not welcome.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja titled; “Where is Abia’s N54 billion?”, the Convener of the group, Hon. Barrister Eze Chikamnayo, claimed that his group had visited several Local Government Areas in the state, interacted with stakeholders on developmental issues before embarking on an on-the-spot inspection of public schools to see things for themselves.
“In Ugwunagbo, LGA, schools visited included Ihie Community Primary School, Ihie Ukwu Primary School, Asa Umunka Primary School, and Ikem Migrant Farmers School.
“In Isiala Ngwa South, the team inspected Nneise Primary School – Umuhu/Umuezu Nvosi, Umunkpeyi Primary School – Umunkpeyi Nvosi, and Obuba Primary School – Obuba Nvosi, Ikem Migrant Farmers School.
“From our dispassionate observation, we wish to hereby unequivocally decry the deplorable state of infrastructure in these schools, amongst others, noting that the decay was even more alarming in Isiala Ngwa South – the acclaimed and very contentious Local Government of the sitting Governor, Mr Alex Otti “One wonders then, if charity no longer begins at home.
“We went further to question the much-publicized ₦54 billion which appeared in the Abia State Budget Performance Report for the renovation and retrofitting of public schools for the year 2024 and stress that a Budget Performance Report, anywhere in the world, details accomplished projects and the actual amounts spent – not mere approved figures.”
Barr. Chikamnayo who also accused the Governor Otti of undermining President Bola Tinubu while claiming to be his supporters, recalled that the governor as opposition leader had earlier promised that under his watch, not a Kobo of Abia resources will be stolen.
“We now question how such words can be trusted when his administration thrives on non-disclosure and only tries to explain itself when prompted.
“We further wish to express shock that the state government included “recruitment of teachers, buying chalks our teaching aids” among the items for which the ₦54 billion was supposedly spent. “When did employing teachers and purchasing instructional materials become capital projects?
“We call on Abians to be vigilant, ask questions, and demand full accountability and transparency from the Alex Otti-led administration. “The future of our children is at stake, and no government should be allowed to mortgage it under the guise of inflated or questionable expenditure.”
When asked whether the group will receive Alex Otti into APC if he decides to join, the APC group said: “He wants people to believe that he supports the president but the same time we know that in Abia state he is undermining Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As we speak, over N300 billion has come from President Tinubu reforms into Abia state government and all the local governments are grounded, castrated and completely insolvent.
“We will not receive such a liability into APC. That is what we are saying. Nobody in APC Abia state wants anything called Alex Otti. He is a liability.”
The group urged Governor Otti to emulate his counterparts in Imo and Enugu whom he said had rebuilt, modernized, and equipped public schools with visible results for all to see.
