By Sophia Afolabi
An All Progressives Congress (APC) support group in Abia State, the Abia Best Interest Association (ABIA), has called for a full-scale investigation into the administration of Governor Alex Otti over the alleged mismanagement of N54 billion allocated for school renovations.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja, APC chieftain and ABIA convener, Eze Chikamnayo, revealed that the group has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the World Bank, and Transparency International, among other national and international organizations.
Chikamnayo, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, presented copies of the petitions and accused the state government of failing to disclose critical details such as the names, locations, contractors, and photographic evidence of the 51 public school projects allegedly completed between the first and fourth quarters of 2024. He described the omission as a sign of systemic corruption, impunity, and a lack of accountability.
He stated that it was “alarming” that nearly two years into the administration, no new “smart school” project could be physically verified across the state, despite public claims by the government that extensive renovations had been carried out.
Chikamnayo said a fact-finding mission to several schools in Abia revealed that over 95 percent of them remained in deplorable conditions, with crumbling buildings, unfenced premises, and a lack of basic teaching and learning facilities.
“These findings directly contradict the expenditure figures presented in the State Government’s Budget Performance Report,” he said, adding that the N54 billion is separate from other financial inflows received through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and federal education intervention programs.
The group called on anti-graft agencies, civil society organizations, and concerned stakeholders to demand full transparency from the Otti-led administration. “We have sent formal letters to all relevant bodies, both within and outside Nigeria, including organizations that specialize in education development, calling for immediate intervention,” Chikamnayo stated.
He added that the petitions had been sent to the National Assembly, UNESCO, the World Bank, the Federal Ministries of Finance and Education, as well as watchdog groups like Transparency International and Amnesty International, urging them to investigate and impose sanctions where appropriate.
“In defense of Abia’s future and the integrity of public governance, we are committed to pursuing this matter to its logical conclusion. Abia’s children deserve better,” Chikamnayo declared, urging the media and public to support efforts to enforce accountability in the state.
Chikamnayo also alleged that Governor Otti, in response to the group’s demands for transparency, insulted him during a recent press briefing and threatened both his life and the group’s safety. He vowed that such intimidation would not deter their campaign for good governance.
The group also directed criticism at Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, asking him to stop preaching accountability at the national level while remaining silent on the actions of a governor elected under his party’s platform.
“Labour Party cannot be trusted to lead Nigeria if it cannot ensure transparency within its own ranks. Mr. Peter Obi must call Alex Otti to order and give him a proper tutorial on what accountability really means,” the group concluded.
