When An Unpolished Figure Steers The Governor's Public Image, His Unrefinedness Erodes Decorum - A Case of Abia CPS, "The PDP Boy" By Obinna Oriaku | #NwokeukwuMascot

 Opinion 

The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, initially projected himself as one who is urbane, refined and corporate-minded. He carries himself like a cosmopolitan city "boy",  one shaped by years of experience in structured financial institutions. His background in the organised private sector ought to suggest orderliness, professionalism, and polished public engagement just like states Governed by exposed leaders.

It is therefore puzzling that such a man with years of experience in the corporate world, which requires class, tact and finesse in public communications, would go to a commercial motor park to pick an unpolished fellow, whose looks depict nothing but "agbero" as his Chief Press Secretary (CPS). 

Ordinarily, the office of the Chief Press Secretary is regarded with reverence as the Governor’s official voice but unfortunately, ever since, Governor Otti fetched the current CPS, government communications have witnessed a dramatic decline in decorum and professionalism. Rather than embodying the poise expected of a Governor’s spokesperson, the CPS has frequently taken a troubling turn, resorting to toxic inflammatory and coarse rhetoric that befits the "Ogbete" market motor park touts than the halls of governance.

To further buttress that this CPS is coming from the gutters, instead of constructive engagement to opposition concerns, his responses often descend into personal attacks, further polarising the political atmosphere as he never addresses core issues raised.

I will address the issue raised as it affects my earlier position on the fraud in projects appropriation, regarding the National Primary Heath Care Development Agency (NPHPCD) a world bank programme which the state government shamelessly attempted to claim as its own initiative. It was only after undeniable evidence surfaced that officials of this propanganda government were forced to admit the projects were World bank /federal government funded while separating them from the very few the state is personally handling. 

Similarly, Abia State government initially claimed the flag-off of the Itungwa/Umuoba road as a state achievement, only to later concede it was part of the World Bank-funded RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project) program initiated by the previous administration.

Unfortunately, the CPS’s defense of these matters lack credibility, further complicated by internal reports suggesting that key members of the Governor’s inner circle refer to him dismissively as  “ That PDP boy”, especially since his sordid past is now in the public domain, I tend to ignore him.

This CPS alienation is evident in the fact that the Governor does not even travel with him within Nigeria, he is pigeon-holed in Umuehim relying on hearsay and third hand information of what he is told, No wonder he resorts to "Iko Onu" since he has no answers to issues .

Several questions remain unanswered by the CPS. For instance, what became of the much-touted N54 billion public school rehabilitation program, which, according to the 2024 Abia State Financial Report as published by the state , remains at an "audio" (unrealised) stage? Likewise, the already spent N6.5 billion recreational facility remains unseen till date. Are these ones still lie unanswered ?

The quick rush for payment of compensation is a conduit to siphon Abia funds. According the 2024 Financial Report published by Abia State Government, it shows that a whopping N15 billion was written off as "compensation payments" for Government acquisition of land , but many affected individuals only received “peanuts.” In states like Anambra, they never paid a kobo for compensation on federal roads instead,  government appeals to the conscience of those affected but here,  it's an opportunity to hoodwink Nde Abia.

The Abia RAAMP project has since stalled with the sack / forced resignation of the last PC ( Projrct coordinator) Eng. Chinaemerem Ogbonnia, who left because of government interference in the procurement process. It is alleged that the state Government was forcing two preferred contractors on the then PC who resisted it as World bank has laid down procurement procedures.  His rejection did not go down well with Abia state government, hence he was forced to go .

Abia is at the verge of losing the $60 million RAAMP funds domiciled with the CBN. World bank as policy, will redistribute the funds to states that have finished their own allocated funds if it is found to be unused given a timeline.

Till date ,Abia does not have a substantive PC and that has affected the program. I understand the Commissioner for Rural development is in Abuja thinking world bank is " GAGA Ohafia". They have till 28th of this Month to complete the appiontment of a substantive PC or Abia is out while the entire programme end by April 2026. Let me educate the CPS on what they will not tell him.

Despite these pressing concerns, the combative styled CPS appears either unaware or unable to provide clarity. In a government that many now describe as opaque and lacking transparency, his statements do little to build trust.

Even basic details, such as the cost of the widely publicised 43.2 km road project remains undisclosed. Neither the CPS nor the Ministry of Works has provided figures, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability which is non existent in Abia state .

As CPS struggling to defend his pay master, I am sure he is not aware of how much these projects cost the Abia taxpayer, the hearsay information he relies on, only leaves him with ridiculous stories like the N2 billion "jara" that Julius Berger gave the state as shown on Arise TV which is akin to women selling crayfish in the market. 

I am personally assuring you that after May 29th, this year, we will know if Opposition is dead in Abia or not.

©️Ekwedike 

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