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By Tracy Moses
The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has reacted to a recent statement issued by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, titled “Governance in Abia: Benjamin Kalu Needs Tutorials More Than a Microphone.”
The statement was a response to remarks by the Deputy Speaker and Member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, who, while addressing members of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Umuahia on Sunday, October 5, 2025, expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on track to take control of Abia State in 2027.
Kalu based his optimism on what he described as “mounting frustration among the people over a government that has failed to deliver despite having access to unprecedented financial resources.”
In a statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu’s office said it was unfortunate that rather than address the substance of his criticisms, the Otti administration had resorted to “cheap propaganda, personal insults, and diversionary tactics.”
“What Abians expect is governance driven by solutions, not a government more concerned with drama and media spectacles,” the statement read. “It is the responsibility of both the opposition and the citizens to demand accountability, transparency, and real outcomes when promises are not being fulfilled.”
The Deputy Speaker’s office maintained that its response was aimed at “setting the record straight and exposing the contradictions, underperformance, and false narratives of a government that has replaced substance with theatrics.”
Kalu highlighted the state’s financial position, pointing to publicly available figures in the Abia State Government’s Q2 2025 financial report. According to him, the state received an average of ₦38 billion monthly from FAAC allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), and federal interventions.
“Between April and June 2025 alone, Abia collected over ₦114 billion,” Kalu said. “Yet the people see nothing tangible, schools are deteriorating, roads are collapsing, pensions remain unpaid, and healthcare is in a state of emergency. Where has all the money gone?”
The Deputy Speaker dismissed the state government’s frequent claim that foreign exchange fluctuations were responsible for stalled progress, describing it as “an overused excuse that no longer convinces anyone.”
“States like Enugu, Anambra, and Imo are executing major infrastructure projects, roads, flyovers, housing schemes, hospitals, under the same economic conditions,” the statement argued. “Even recurrent obligations like salaries and pensions, which are not tied to foreign exchange, reveal gross inefficiency.”
Kalu further criticised the administration for failing to pay any gratuity since June 2023, despite receiving close to ₦1 trillion within that period. He described as “unjust and unconscionable” the decision to compel retirees to forfeit over ₦70 billion of their entitlements.
On workers’ welfare, Kalu accused the government of being “insensitive and disconnected.”
“While other states have either implemented or surpassed the ₦70,000 minimum wage, Abia workers remain trapped in poverty wages,” the statement noted. “How does a nurse survive on ₦80,000 when the CONHESS benchmark is ₦340,000? How do teaching hospital staff survive on ₦29,000? It’s both disgraceful and unacceptable.”
The statement also questioned the government’s spending priorities, suggesting that billions of naira remain unaccounted for.
“With a workforce of about 67,000, even after retrenching over 10,000 workers, only ₦6.7 billion is spent on salaries monthly,” Kalu’s office stated. “That leaves over ₦31 billion every month unaccounted for. Abians deserve answers.”
The Deputy Speaker also criticised the government’s borrowing record, describing it as “a textbook case of debt without development.”
“The National Assembly approved a $263.8 million AfDB loan for Abia, and $125 million has already been disbursed,” he said. “Where are the projects? Where is the infrastructure? If the funds had been used appropriately, Abia would not still be dealing with pothole-ridden roads and dysfunctional public institutions.”
Kalu’s office said the administration was more interested in optics than in outcomes.
“Every week, Abians are bombarded with photo ops, documentaries, and polished speeches that paint a misleading picture of progress,” the statement read. “But once the cameras are off, schools are collapsing, hospitals are under-equipped, roads are impassable, and the economy remains stagnant.”
Kalu clarified that his comments were not personal attacks but “a candid reflection of the reality that every Abian is already aware of.”
“Governor Otti’s government must stop chasing shadows and start delivering on its promises,” he said. “With ₦38 billion entering the state coffers every month, various federal interventions, and significant international loans, Abia has no justification for underdevelopment. The people will soon see through the propaganda.”
Concluding, Kalu reiterated his party’s readiness for the next election cycle.
“Whatever happens, one thing is certain, the APC is ready to lead Abia in 2027,” he declared. “Our commitment is to deliver leadership anchored on accountability, transparency, and real service to the people. Nothing less will do.”