Open up on Abia IGR, cost of your projects – PDP dares Gov Otti

As Governor Alex Otti approaches his second anniversary in office, the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for greater transparency and accountability in the state’s financial management.

The party accused the current administration of operating without openness regarding cost of projects and internally generated revenue (IGR), claiming a stark contrast between Otti’s time in opposition and his current stance as governor.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Mazi Eric Ikwuagwu, the party alleged that the administration is now under growing scrutiny, with former allies raising concerns over financial practices in the state.

The statement, titled “Calls for Accountability Mount as Critics Challenge Abia State’s Financial Management Under Governor Otti”, claims the government is attempting to suppress dissent and avoid addressing legitimate questions posed by critics.

He said:” Over the past eight years, Engr. Eke O. Ako, an Abia-born civil engineer based in Scotland, consistently held the Ikpeazu administration accountable. 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, today is 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 that sponsored him against PDP under Ikpeazu? The answer is capital NO. EKS STEVE  IS NOT BUYABLE.

“So, rather than respond to his documented allegations, they  resorted to character assassination and yet remained a curious silent on the about N800 billion Otti’s administration received and squandered in 23 months.

“What about the fiery critic and staunch advocate for good governance, Chief Obinna Oriaku, the former finance commissioner who never hesitated to call out the failings of the very government he once served. Back then, he was praised by those in power today as ‘no-nonsense, bold and truthful’, but now, table turned and Chief Oriaku is applying the same fearless scrutiny to Governor Otti’s administration, rather than address his concerns about the unprecedented looting and financial mismanagement, the current government resorted to vilifying Oriaku for exhibiting the very traits for which they once celebrated him. Otti’s hypocrisy is second to none.

“Both Engr. Ako and Chief Oriaku’s revelations are not hearsay; they are drawn from official government sources. The quarterly budget performance reports published on the government’s own website contains these facts but Otti knows our people are mentally lazy and mostly illiterates of the mind. They swallow whatever they were told rather than research on their own.”

The party further alleged the government has engaged in distractions rather than accountability.

“Despite the gravity of these revelations by Eke Ako, Obinna Oriaku and others, exposing gross financial misconduct, not a single official rebuttal has been made to explain or defend these alleged fiscal recklessness but rather it has been ‘iko onu’.”

Ikwuagwu also cited unaddressed expenditures published in government reports.

“Till 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 spent on Capacity Building, N7 billion on ICT Infrastructure, N54 billion on renovation of non-existent public schools, and other phantom infrastructure that are worth over N200 billion.”

“Again, instead of address the alarming N36.5 billion roguishly spent on PortHarcout 5.7km road, which translated to N6.18billion for a kilometer, making it the most expensive road in Africa, the focus shifted to discrediting the messengers. Meanwhile, the message remains factual and needs to be addressed promptly.”

Concluding the statement, Ikwuagwu said: “If they like let them bring CNN in attempt to cover the fraud, discerning minds would never be distracted in seeking accountability and transparency on Otti’s government misleading tactics.”