Former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Eze Chikamnayo, has alleged that Governor Alex Otti is diverting funds meant for the state’s local governments.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Chikamnayo accused the governor of stifling grassroots development and crippling the operations of local government councils.
According to him, “Unfortunately, in Abia, what we have today is that Alex Otti has mopped up the entire funds going to the local governments. He has made sure that the grassroots development is completely, you know, grounded. And he has made it impossible for the local governments to operate and to breathe.”
Chikamnayo also dismissed reports suggesting a political rift between the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and Governor Otti. He explained that Kalu was merely demanding accountability from the governor, not engaging in any form of political feud.
“There is no personal issue between Honourable Benjamin Kalu and our dear Governor Alex Otti. But all we are saying, all I’m saying, all Ben Kalu is saying, every member of the Abia community, APC is saying is, Governor Alex Otti, practice what you preach,” Chikamnayo stated.
He stressed that transparency and accountability were essential for good governance, adding that Kalu’s call for openness was justified given the financial resources available to the state.
“What is in the best interest of Abia is transparency and accountability. And what Honourable Benjamin Kalu asks for is, we know that a lot of money has gone to the states, not just Abia, but to every state. And we know that President Tinubu has done exceptionally well. He has done what Napoleon could not do. He has freed resources. And we know that because of these resources that President Tinubu has given to the states, a lot more is expected of the governors,” he said.
The former commissioner argued that a government’s performance should be measured by visible results rather than rhetoric. “You cannot say a governor is doing very well based on slogans alone. You can only say a governor is doing very well when you put side by side the resources available to the governor and the deliverables that the governor is able to show to the people. So when the resources are not, you know, pairing up, you know, are not balancing with the deliverables, every citizen has a right to ask questions, not just in Abia, but across the nation,” he added.
