{"id":122824,"date":"2025-10-08T06:14:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:14:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=122824"},"modified":"2025-10-08T06:14:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T05:14:36","slug":"otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/","title":{"rendered":"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Tracy Moses<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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 \u201cGovernance in Abia: Benjamin Kalu Needs Tutorials More Than a Microphone.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kalu based his optimism on what he described as \u201cmounting frustration among the people over a government that has failed to deliver despite having access to unprecedented financial resources.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In a statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Kalu\u2019s office said it was unfortunate that rather than address the substance of his criticisms, the Otti administration had resorted to \u201ccheap propaganda, personal insults, and diversionary tactics.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWhat Abians expect is governance driven by solutions, not a government more concerned with drama and media spectacles,\u201d the statement read. \u201cIt is the responsibility of both the opposition and the citizens to demand accountability, transparency, and real outcomes when promises are not being fulfilled.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Deputy Speaker\u2019s office maintained that its response was aimed at \u201csetting the record straight and exposing the contradictions, underperformance, and false narratives of a government that has replaced substance with theatrics.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kalu highlighted the state\u2019s financial position, pointing to publicly available figures in the Abia State Government\u2019s Q2 2025 financial report. According to him, the state received an average of \u20a638 billion monthly from FAAC allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), and federal interventions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cBetween April and June 2025 alone, Abia collected over \u20a6114 billion,\u201d Kalu said. \u201cYet 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?\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Deputy Speaker dismissed the state government\u2019s frequent claim that foreign exchange fluctuations were responsible for stalled progress, describing it as \u201can overused excuse that no longer convinces anyone.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cStates like Enugu, Anambra, and Imo are executing major infrastructure projects, roads, flyovers, housing schemes, hospitals, under the same economic conditions,\u201d the statement argued. \u201cEven recurrent obligations like salaries and pensions, which are not tied to foreign exchange, reveal gross inefficiency.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kalu further criticised the administration for failing to pay any gratuity since June 2023, despite receiving close to \u20a61 trillion within that period. He described as \u201cunjust and unconscionable\u201d the decision to compel retirees to forfeit over \u20a670 billion of their entitlements.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On workers\u2019 welfare, Kalu accused the government of being \u201cinsensitive and disconnected.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWhile other states have either implemented or surpassed the \u20a670,000 minimum wage, Abia workers remain trapped in poverty wages,\u201d the statement noted. \u201cHow does a nurse survive on \u20a680,000 when the CONHESS benchmark is \u20a6340,000? How do teaching hospital staff survive on \u20a629,000? It\u2019s both disgraceful and unacceptable.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The statement also questioned the government\u2019s spending priorities, suggesting that billions of naira remain unaccounted for.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWith a workforce of about 67,000, even after retrenching over 10,000 workers, only \u20a66.7 billion is spent on salaries monthly,\u201d Kalu\u2019s office stated. \u201cThat leaves over \u20a631 billion every month unaccounted for. Abians deserve answers.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The Deputy Speaker also criticised the government\u2019s borrowing record, describing it as \u201ca textbook case of debt without development.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThe National Assembly approved a $263.8 million AfDB loan for Abia, and $125 million has already been disbursed,\u201d he said. \u201cWhere 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.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kalu\u2019s office said the administration was more interested in optics than in outcomes.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cEvery week, Abians are bombarded with photo ops, documentaries, and polished speeches that paint a misleading picture of progress,\u201d the statement read. \u201cBut once the cameras are off, schools are collapsing, hospitals are under-equipped, roads are impassable, and the economy remains stagnant.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kalu clarified that his comments were not personal attacks but \u201ca candid reflection of the reality that every Abian is already aware of.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cGovernor Otti\u2019s government must stop chasing shadows and start delivering on its promises,\u201d he said. \u201cWith \u20a638 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.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Concluding, Kalu reiterated his party\u2019s readiness for the next election cycle.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWhatever happens, one thing is certain, the APC is ready to lead Abia in 2027,\u201d he declared. \u201cOur commitment is to deliver leadership anchored on accountability, transparency, and real service to the people. Nothing less will do.\u201d<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":122826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-122824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nOtti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu - Pointblank News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu - Pointblank News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"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…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pointblank News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-08T05:14:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Our Reporter\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Our Reporter\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Our Reporter\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/ba61acbe7e8967bcf3f3ba603d9db23c\"},\"headline\":\"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-08T05:14:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\"},\"wordCount\":798,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\",\"name\":\"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu - Pointblank News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-08T05:14:36+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/ba61acbe7e8967bcf3f3ba603d9db23c\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":720},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/\",\"name\":\"Pointblank News\",\"description\":\"Just the news\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/ba61acbe7e8967bcf3f3ba603d9db23c\",\"name\":\"Our Reporter\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/83b3820ef93d502ae3a617b2c881ca42?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/83b3820ef93d502ae3a617b2c881ca42?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Our Reporter\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/author\/admin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu - Pointblank News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu - Pointblank News","og_description":"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…","og_url":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/","og_site_name":"Pointblank News","article_published_time":"2025-10-08T05:14:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Our Reporter","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Our Reporter","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/"},"author":{"name":"Our Reporter","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/ba61acbe7e8967bcf3f3ba603d9db23c"},"headline":"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu","datePublished":"2025-10-08T05:14:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/"},"wordCount":798,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/","url":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/","name":"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu - Pointblank News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg","datePublished":"2025-10-08T05:14:36+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/ba61acbe7e8967bcf3f3ba603d9db23c"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/558883933_1382291313906199_6327002458420751364_n.jpg","width":1080,"height":720},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/otti-led-govt-must-choose-service-over-showmanship-kalu\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Otti-led Govt Must Choose Service Over Showmanship \u2014 Kalu"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#website","url":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/","name":"Pointblank News","description":"Just the news","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/ba61acbe7e8967bcf3f3ba603d9db23c","name":"Our Reporter","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/83b3820ef93d502ae3a617b2c881ca42?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/83b3820ef93d502ae3a617b2c881ca42?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Our Reporter"},"url":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122824"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":122827,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122824\/revisions\/122827"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}