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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the incumbent state government of secrecy regarding the cost of projects and the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, under the Alex Otti administration in Abia State.
To this end, the opposition party has called on the governor to disclose the cost of projects executed by his administration ahead of the May 29, 2025, second anniversary.
The party noted that while Otti, as an opposition leader, fiercely and consistently criticised the former administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, he has now, as governor, become increasingly intolerant of dissent.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Mazi Eric Ikwuagwu, the Abia State PDP noted that the administration has come under intense public scrutiny, as respected voices once aligned with the current government now raise alarm over alleged financial mismanagement.
He said: “To date, no attempt has been made to refute the staggering figures of monumental fraud contained in Abia State quarterly financial reports, such as the N6.5 billion supposedly spent on recreational facilities; N10 billion on capacity building; N7 billion on ICT infrastructure; N54 billion on renovation of non-existent public schools; and other phantom infrastructure projects amounting to over N200 billion.
“Again, instead of addressing the alarming N36.5 billion allegedly spent on a 5.7km road in Port Harcourt, which translates to N6.18 billion per kilometer, making it the most expensive road in Africa—the focus has shifted to discrediting the messengers. Meanwhile, the message remains factual and must be addressed promptly.
“If they like, let them bring CNN in an attempt to cover the fraud; discerning minds will not be distracted from seeking accountability and transparency in Otti’s government’s misleading tactics.”
The PDP added that for eight years, Engr. Eke Ako, an Abia-born civil engineer based in Scotland, consistently held the Ikpeazu administration accountable.
It said that for this, he was widely celebrated by the very individuals now in power and hailed as a beacon of integrity by the so-called ‘New Abia Saints.’
“In contrast, the same Engr. Ako is today applying the same scrutiny to Otti’s administration. Ironically, those who once praised him now accuse him of being sponsored by the PDP. Was it Otti who sponsored him against the PDP under Ikpeazu? The answer is a capital NO. EKS Steve is not buyable.
“So rather than respond to his documented allegations, they resorted to character assassination and maintained a curious silence about the approximately N800 billion that Otti’s administration has received and allegedly squandered in 23 months.”
English (US) ·