New Abia: How the 'Saints' Came Prepared to Steal, Loot, Plunder ¿ #NwokeukwuMascot

 Opinion 

When the saint came to plunder and pilfer By Uche Aguoru | #NwokeukwuMascot

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For eight years, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti traveled across Abia State, delivering promises of transparency, accountability, and good governance, positioning himself as a saintly figure capable of transforming the state’s fortunes. Armed with his experience in the private sector—though his track record remains controversial—Otti painted a picture of righteousness, frequently accusing the then-PDP-led government of lacking transparency. He assured Abians that his leadership would usher in an era of openness and accountability in managing the state’s finances.

Much like many politicians on the campaign trail, Otti’s promises resonated with a sizable audience, including some highly educated citizens both at home and abroad—akin to how some Nigerians believed former President Muhammadu Buhari’s infamous promise of exchanging one naira for one US dollar. Unfortunately, just as Buhari’s government fell short of its promises, Otti’s administration has proven to be a monumental disappointment, betraying the hopes of Abians who had supported his quest for power.

While it is necessary to acknowledge some moderate achievements in road maintenance and the refurbishment of existing infrastructure inherited from previous administrations, the exorbitant costs associated with these projects and the lack of transparency surrounding the awarding of contracts are deeply troubling. The state’s fiscal operations, once promised to be clear and open, have now become shrouded in mystery.

For instance, the controversial Ohanku road reconstruction project has reportedly been inflated to a staggering 17 billion naira, compared to its original budget of 3.5 billion naira. These discrepancies have raised eyebrows, casting doubt on the administration’s commitment to financial probity.

Abia State now holds the unfortunate distinction of breaking a Guinness World Record for paying a shocking 5.6 billion naira per kilometer of road construction in a non-swampy terrain—without bridges. This is the highest recorded cost of road contracts per kilometer worldwide, a dubious honor no state should be proud of.

Even more concerning, the Otti government allegedly wrote off billions of naira on non-existent projects. According to available financial reports, the administration claimed to have invested 11.94 billion naira in constructing and rehabilitating public schools. However, there is little evidence on the ground to support this claim, as no significant school renovations have been observed by the public.

It is becoming increasingly clear that Governor Otti came equipped with the tools for personal enrichment rather than public service. How does one explain a claim of spending 12 billion naira on educational capital projects without a single new classroom to show for it?

Similarly, the administration claimed to have spent 4.8 billion naira on reconstructing office buildings—yet, Abians are left wondering where these projects are. The lack of visible results across the state only deepens concerns about misappropriation of funds.

The Otti government’s published financial reports further reveal a mysterious expenditure of 3 billion naira on “infrastructure,” a vague term that defies explanation. Alarmingly, any commissioner or aide who dares to raise questions about such suspicious expenditures is quickly dismissed from office, stifling any form of accountability within the administration.

Perhaps the most audacious claim is the 7.8 billion naira supposedly spent on research and development. No specifics were provided about the institutions involved, nor has any research output been identified, adding to the suspicion that this, too, is another avenue for siphoning public funds.

In another puzzling move, the government announced that it had spent 1 billion naira on erosion control projects. Yet, no one has been able to pinpoint the location of these projects—a strange occurrence for an administration that prides itself on publicizing every minor achievement.

Governor Otti also claims to have spent 2.14 billion naira on reconstructing law courts across the state, a project that seems to exist only on paper. Abians are still waiting for evidence of this work, which appears to be another pretext for looting state resources.

Additionally, the government’s claim of spending 2.46 billion naira on ICT infrastructure is yet another dubious expense, with no trace of such infrastructure anywhere in the state.

The so-called “capacity building” expenditure of 3 billion naira is yet another line item that leaves Abians scratching their heads, as there is no clarity on what this term entails, let alone where the money went.

Today, Governor Otti presides over one of the most opaque and costly governments in Nigeria. It is reported that he spends a whopping 927 million naira monthly on meals at his private residence in Nvosi, while the people of Abia continue to grapple with extreme poverty.

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In another act of betrayal, Otti had promised to be the first governor to implement the new minimum wage once the federal government reached an agreement with organized labor. However, despite receiving 17 billion naira from the federation account in July, he has yet to honor that promise. In contrast, other states such as Enugu and Ebonyi have already commenced implementation of the 70,000 naira minimum wage.

Before rushing to defend Governor Otti, let us ask the fundamental question: where are the projects and developments he claims to have spent billions of Abia’s naira on?

Indeed, the Otti administration came prepared—not to govern, but to loot, plunder, and enrich themselves at the expense of the people.

Aguoru is a public affairs analyst.

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