By Peter Omopo – August 17, 2025
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed allegations that ₦54 billion is missing from the state treasury, describing the claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
The controversy began after members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the platform Abia’s Best Interest Association accused the governor of lacking transparency and mismanaging state resources. The group’s convener, Eze Chikamnayo, alleged that despite the ₦54bn budgeted for public school renovations in the 2024 fiscal year, schools across many local government areas remain in poor condition.
Responding during a media chat on Friday, Governor Otti clarified that the figure in question represented budgetary provisions and not actual spending. He explained that only ₦2.1bn had so far been disbursed for school renovation projects.
“Even the issue of ₦54bn — the original person who raised it later realised it was a mistake and walked back his claim. A budget is simply an estimate; what matters is actual cash expenditure. If you check the state’s audited accounts for 2024, you’ll find that only ₦2.1bn has been spent,” Otti said.
The governor further noted that Abia State publishes its budget performance under the World Bank’s State Transparency Programme, insisting that his administration operates an open and accountable financial system.
He also explained that safeguards such as advance payment guarantees for contractors were in place to prevent diversion of public funds.
“Before we release money to any contractor, we collect an advance guarantee. That way, if anyone defaults, the state is protected. At any time, your money remains with us until work is done,” he added.
Otti described the allegations as the handiwork of “mischief makers with no credibility” and challenged critics to verify the government’s financial records. He also pointed to ongoing projects in Umunneochi Local Government Area as evidence of his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development.
