Governor Otti Denies Missing N54bn in Abia State Treasury

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has strongly rejected accusations that N54 billion is missing from the state’s treasury, dismissing the claims as baseless and a reflection of a misunderstanding of the state’s budgeting process. This comes after members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, under the Abia’s Best Interest Association, raised concerns about the state’s financial management.

During a press conference held on Friday, which gained widespread attention on Saturday, Otti addressed the allegations. The APC group, led by Eze Chikamnayo, had accused the governor of failing to be transparent, particularly regarding the N54 billion allocated for public school renovations in the 2024 budget. Chikamnayo’s group had argued that despite this large sum, many public schools across the state remain in deplorable conditions.

Governor Otti, however, clarified that the N54 billion mentioned was a budgetary estimate, not actual funds that had been spent. He emphasized that only N2.1 billion had been disbursed so far for school renovations.

In a strong defense of his administration’s financial integrity, Otti explained that his government follows a transparent financial system. He challenged his critics to properly understand government budgeting processes before making claims. “What is important is not the budget estimate, but the actual cash spent, and the figures are clear in our audited financial accounts for 2024,” Otti stated. He pointed out that the state had already made the 2024 financial records public, showing precise spending details.

The governor also highlighted that his administration had implemented stringent safeguards, including requiring advance payment guarantees from contractors, to prevent the misuse of funds. He reassured the public that no funds had been misappropriated, and the government’s financial processes were robust. “If you check our website, you’ll see that only N2.1 billion has been spent on renovations so far. We ensure that any contractor working with us is fully accountable for the funds they receive,” he explained.

Otti further dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, calling them part of a smear campaign by individuals he labeled as “mischief makers” without credibility. He concluded by pointing to ongoing projects in Umunneochi Local Government Area as evidence of his administration’s commitment to improving the state’s infrastructure.

In response to the accusations, the governor made a call for more informed discussions about state finances and urged political critics to focus on constructive engagement rather than baseless claims.