₦airaland Forum

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed attempts by opposition elements to blackmail his administration, vowing to remain focused on his agenda for the state's development, ABN TV reports.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AnphieFfkc

In a live broadcast marking his one year in office, Governor Otti accused his critics of spreading lies and fabricating videos in a bid to discredit his administration.

He said; "We are not unmindful of the blackmailers and hired agents of opposition who dish out lies and have truth taken, hoping that we will invite them for settlement or be distracted. Our response to them is simple, that their demands will remain unmet no matter the number of videos they churn out, and we will never be distracted. Our loyalty is to the generosity of Abians, not the handful of selfish individuals and groups".

He described them as "selfish individuals and groups" who are driven by personal interests rather than the well-being of the state.

The Governor reassured the citizens that his administration will not be distracted by the antics of the opposition, but will remain committed to delivering on its promises.

Deacon Felix Olunkwa, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Abia Chapter, has been reported missing, ABN TV learnt.

According to Dr. Olunkwa, her husband had gone to repair his uncle's car, a Toyota 4Runner Jeep (2000 model) with plate number HS 391 ABC and ash in color, at Alaojie ABA and left the mechanic's shop around 7 pm. She spoke with him at 8 pm while he was driving home along the ABA/PH expressway. However, all attempts to reach him after 10 pm were unsuccessful, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

The family is urging the Abia State Police Command to intervene and investigate Deacon Olunkwa's disappearance. The police are yet to issue a statement on the matter.

Members of Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, Abia State Command have arrested suspects in connection with the vandalization of oil pipeline installations at Ogbodinibe in Umuahia South LGA of the State.

Those arrested include, Chukwunyere Onwuka, 34, and Chinatu Israel, 26-year-old.

The Abia State Commander of Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services Mmerube Sunday Chukwudiegwu told ABN TV that the suspects were arrested at about 2 pm on Sunday in Umuahia following credible information.

According to him, four other suspects escaped while an unnamed man suspected to be purchasing vandalized items from them also escaped.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include, the sum of about N180,000.

They have since been transferred to Ubakala Division for further investigation and prosecution.

Former Governor of Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu says he's not against any political meeting being hosted by a former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah but only against division in the state chapter of APC, ABN TV reports.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pDhwsz6qHc

In a video message, Sen. Kalu said there is nothing wrong in Ogah hosting his Abia Rejoice political movement, saying that cannot be mistaken as a meeting of Abia APC.

The 2023 governorship candidates of APC in the state, Chief Ikechi Emenike and Kingsley Ononogbu have been laying claims to the chairmanship of the party in Abia.

Sen. Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District however believes it's time to end factionalisation and bring the party under one umbrella.

He said the national leadership of APC has told him that Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu is the duly recognized chairman of Abia APC, urging all party members to rally support for him.

While noting that Ononogbu went through the electoral process and emerged victorious, Sen. Kalu insisted that he is the only one who has the right to call for a meeting of the party in the state and not anyone else.

"We don't want any faction again and this is what I'm saying. I discourage anybody talking about faction. There is no faction (of APC) in Abia", he stated.

The immediate-past governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has finally responded to the allegation of diverting N10bn meant for the construction of an airport in Aba, saying as someone with executive power at that time, no one can question his decision not to go ahead with the project.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0kvNgj5crw

While admitting that the sum of N10bn was earmarked for the construction of an airport to boost commercial life in Aba, the former governor in an interview monitored by our correspondent said he realized that roads to the major markets in the city were in a bad state, making interconnection difficult.

"So we decided to suspend the airport project. Today when people talk about the money for the airport and all that, it's as if they are questioning my decision to change my mind and I had right at that time to say I don't want this airport now.

"Because of you land at the airport, where are you going to? You can't go to Ariaria. We had to change the status quo at that time and I am happy that I finished Eziukwu Road from that fund, I finished Faulks road from that fund, Ngwa Road is okay, and Osusu Road is okay.

"So today you can connect Ariaria through Osusu road, to Eziukwu market and connect Eziukwu road to Ngwa market. I succeeded in interconnecting all the markets, courtesy of that fund which we were supposed to construct an airport", he explained.

According to the former governor, if his administration had gone ahead with that project, the sum of N10bn wouldn't have completed it, saying it would have amounted to tying the money as some airports in the country are not viable.

He also dismissed allegations that the fund was diverted to about 32 accounts, insisting that those who received money from the funds were contractors who carried out various projects and they were less than 32.

He also challenged the incumbent government to follow the trail to check if a dime was diverted to an individual's account from the N10bn.

He listed other projects completed from that fund to include, Faulks Road, Eziukwu Road, Ejike Lane, Milverton Avenue, and so many others.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has praised Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, describing him as an "action integrity man".

Governor Fubara said his Abia counterpart, Governor Otti’s integrity is not artificial but action-driven. He said despite coming in as Governor of Abia in the face of difficulties, Governor Otti was unperturbed as he went about his duties, making life easy for the people of Abia, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otti, Kazie Uko said in a statement.

The Rivers Governor, much liked by his people, spoke Tuesday during the commissioning of the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo (Old Bori) Road in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, a project he had invited Governor Otti to commission.

“You are wondering why did I invite the Governor of Abia State? I invited him because he is not an artificial integrity man, he is an action integrity man. He is not a man that will gather to talk because he just wants to talk. He’s a man who came in, in the face of difficulty and challenges, just like we have here; he is making impact in the lives of Abia people.

“I will continue to identify with good governance; I will continue to identify with people who want to make impact in the lives of the people,” Governor Fubara told the people of Eleme.

The PDP governor explained that his administration’s mantra is the people first and that the purpose of embarking on the construction of the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road is to make life better for the people; to let the people know that their problem is the government’s problem; and to give them hope.

He revealed that the road is a bye-pass to the deplorable East-West Road that will take commuters away from the bad portions of the East-West Road and rejoins them to the section of the road that is good.

Speaking shortly before he commissioned the road, Governor Otti thanked the Rivers State Governor for the honour of inviting him to kick off the commissioning of roads to mark his first anniversary in office.

Governor Otti explained that despite his busy schedule, he had no problem coming when the Governor fubara, whom he described as a brother, called him to come for the commissioning.

He congratulated Governor Fubara for executing the road project and for remembering the Eleme people, an area Governor Fubara said he started his career as a civil servant many years ago. He also commended and congratulated him for the great job that he is doing in Rivers State.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has alleged that the immediate past government in the state diverted about N10bn mapped out for the construction of the airport to 32 different accounts, challenging the former governor Okezie Ikpeazu to show Abians where the airport is constructed or return the diverted funds.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0EeQEmdysA

At a recent press briefing in Umuahia, the governor said the funds were moved in different tranches, insisting that at the appropriate time, all those who had a hand in diverting funds meant for the state will give account of it. 

He also queried why the state government under former governor Ikpeazu would go ahead to make a payment of N10bn to a contractor who never bidded to construct an airport, nor had the competence to do it. 

He said, "So our engagement with the company that received the money gives the impression that the company was deceived. The managing director of the company said that he told them that he had never built an airport before, and, it's not his area of competence. Neither did he apply to them to construct an airport. 

"Has he the competence to construct an airport? And according to him, of course, he will respond to the security agencies. According to him, the then government asked him to move the monies elsewhere. He showed us letters from the then government to move the money in different tranches to 32 companies. And that he did on the instruction of the former government.

As the controversy over how the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, allegedly spent a whopping N10 billion for a non-existent airport project continues to rage, the incumbent Governor Alex Otti, has said that he was not interested in jailing anybody but only after the recovery of the fund.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVJ6848Dnz4

Governor Otti who spoke while responding to a question during a media parley, Thursday night, opened the can of worm on how his predecessor allegedly paid the largesse into the account of a company that never bided for the project, and later instructed the firm to wire the fund into 32 different accounts in tranches.

Otti who wondered what else the act could be called other than graft, vowed that it was either those who swallowed the fund vomited it or “they show us the airport”.

The Governor who said he was not surprised at the initial attempt by his predecessor to deny the withdrawal of the fund from the state coffers, added that all those who played any role in the movement of the fund would certainly have a date with the security agencies.

Gov. Otti promised that very soon the entire forensic audit report conducted by a reputable audit firm would be made public.

He said: “The immediate-past Governor’s denial is not unexpected. First of all, when it was announced they went to the media abusing the Government and saying the Government lied, and that there was nothing like that.

“Then when a media house that got hold of the report published it, of course, the next thing was to attempt to explain it away. But that was a report by a very reputable audit firm – KPMG. So, what they said was that they diverted the money into roads. Therefore, it’s up to them to come and show us the roads.

“But what is true is that bank statement on the 25th of September 2020 when COVID-19 was dealing with people, a debit went into the state account for N10 billion, and the description was: payment for 80% of contract of the Abia airport. That’s true and incontrovertible! The statement and report are there, and will soon be published. I can assure you that it was KPMG that did that forensic audit report.

“On the 13th of October, almost three weeks after, a letter was written by the then Governor (Ikpeazu), to the State House of Assembly requesting for approval of N10 billion for the construction of Abia airport. On the 14th of October, one day after, a letter was written to the then Governor by the House of Assembly, giving him approval for the N10 billion that he requested for the airport. So, clearly, something went wrong. An ISPO was raised in between these dates.

“So, our engagements with the contractor that received the money gave an impression that the company was deceived. The Managing Director of the company said that he told them that he had never built an airport before; that it’s not his his area of competence, neither did he apply to them to construct an airport.

“So the people denying, the question for them is: how come money moved into an account of somebody who has said he neither sent a bid for an airport nor has he the competence to construct an airport? Of course, he will respond to security agencies.

“But according to him, the then government asked him to move the monies elsewhere. He showed us letters from the then Government to move the money in different tranches to 32 companies, and that he did that on the instruction of the former Government.

“So, like I said, the rest of the work will be done by security agencies. But what is important to our Government is: either that somebody is showing us the airport or somebody is returning our money. That’s what is important to us. We are not interested in the fireworks and all the abuse. We are not even interested in anybody going to jail except if they are telling us that somebody whose money is missing should not look for it. Where I come from, if your property is missing you have to look for it. So, we are looking for our money or in the alternative, our airport!”.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has urged the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ramp up their grassroots mobilization efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu made this call when he received members of the Ukwa Local Government chapter of APC and new party members led by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Abia commissioner, Chief Dimgba Eruba, in Umuahia recently.

The Deputy Speaker emphasized the need to consolidate power to ensure President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 general elections and secure APC’s win in the next gubernatorial election in the state. He commended the group for their efforts in expanding the party’s membership in Ukwa local government and urged them to continue their good work.

Kalu also praised Tinubu’s leadership style and friendly disposition towards the South-East region, noting that the President supported his emergence as Deputy Speaker in the spirit of equity and fairness.

“You have done well. Ukwa is collapsing. The testimony is clear. Continue the good work. We need to deliver here for Mr. President; we have to keep mobilizing until the sitting Governor will see that it’s APC everywhere you go,” Kalu said.

He encouraged the group to bring more people into the party, promising to hold an event where national party leaders would receive new members and ensure their stake in the party. Kalu assured them of his support in building the party and delivering victory for President Tinubu.

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State continues to record massive defection from its fold, the opposition All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged the defecting members to pitch their political tent with the cock party, saying it gas enough membership cards for all.

The state chairman of APGA, Chief Emmanuel Egwu (Ebekuo Esere) who spoke with ABN TV on Tuesday said the party's door is open and that it is ready to receive those ready to associate with the party.

According to him, only the genuine ones are welcomed to APGA and not those attempting to escape "the onslaught that is going to face them any time from now".

He said despite the party's quest for new members, it will be careful in welcoming people, saying it will scrutinize those coming into the party.

While admitting that there is dissenting voice in the Abia State chapter of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Egwusaid his plan is to ensure that the real owners of the party are heard.

"We are trying to rejuvenate and bring the party together. You know we have been having some dissenting voices in the party, but I can assure you now that we are trying to come together to ensure that APGA remains a formidable opposition party in Abia State", he said.

He reiterated that the party has good manifesto it will be churning out to the public soon.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has welcomed new members to the party, describing their influx as a "welcome development".

However, the party has also sounded a warning to those with "inordinate ambitions", emphasizing that membership registration must be done in accordance with the party's constitution.

According to Hon. Chief Okey Ezeala, State Publicity Secretary of the APC, membership registration can only be done at the ward chapters of the party, as specified in the party's constitution.

He warned that any registration done contrary to this is "a charade and cannot stand".

Ezeala advised new members to "look well before they fall into traps of illegality from day one", emphasizing that the APC is a national party with grassroots structures in all wards.

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has officially defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), ABN TV reports.

The ex-lawmaker was issued the APC membership card by the State Chairman of the Party in Abia, Kingsley Ononogbu, on Tuesday.

Recall that Enyinnaya, the son of Theodore Orji, a former governor of Abia State had on Monday tendered his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The ex-speaker, who briefed some of his close supporters on Monday night, said the move had become very necessary, following some issues rocking the party.

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chinedum Orji has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ABN TV reports.

The son of former Governor Theodore Orji said he took the decision after wide consultation without further elaboration.

The Ex Assembly Speaker while briefing some of his close supporters on Monday night said the move became very necessary.

“After careful consultation and personal decision, I have decided to exit the PDP, It’s time to move on with our lives” he said while announcing his resignation from the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

Interpol Systems Consultant and security expert, Sir Chikwe Udensi has urged the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti to separate the good work he is doing in the state from unfounded allegations against his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsFaqXi4bbM

He expressed worry over the laxity at which the state government is treating the alleged embezzlement of N107 billion Abia money by the immediate past government, wondering why the governor has not presented evidence to back his claim.

Governor Otti while speaking to some Abia people in the United States recently said, “N79.3 billion naira was paid to seven Contractors for contracts that were not executed at all. Another 15.9 billion almost 16 billion was paid to 63 contractors with no supporting documents anywhere. Another 13 billion naira was paid to two contractors for contracts that do not exist out of these figures, and 10 billion naira was on September 25, 2020, paid to some contractor for the construction of Abia State Airport.”

In his reaction during a live programme on Love FM and ABN TV, Udensi, a chieftain of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) said he is not taking the state government very seriously in such allegations, saying there are pieces of evidence to prove that similar allegations made by the same government in the past have proven not to be true.

“Some of the organizers of the Governor’s Trip to America are very close to me and known to me. What I asked for is the full record of the whole proceeding, not just what the Governor said. However, I’m a bit disturbed that a matter like this is being treated with trivial attitudes. I’m concerned that N107 billion is alleged to have been embezzled and we’re talking about some contractors and using native knowledge to go and locate the airport. We must get serious.

“107 billion? By now we should have commenced a full investigation and all those who are responsible for such heinous arrangements should be in detention if the proper process is taken. What do I mean by proper process, the crime is said to have been committed in Abia State, the alleged suspects are all in Abia State, the investigation was done in Abia State, then the announcement of the results of the investigation was done in the United States of America," he said.

He added, “You recall that when the governor came in, he indicated that he’s going investigate the regimes that were before him. We were expecting an investigation from 1999 to 2023, but he chose only the Ikpeazu administration to investigate.

“You’ll recall that on open parliament, I criticized it because I was not comfortable with it. When you seem to specify your level of interest, people may become suspicious of what actually your interest is.

“Again given the fact that everybody must remain innocent until proven guilty, you cannot insist by any imagination that anybody is a criminal. Look at what’s happening in social media right now, the trial is going on social media.

“In Investigation, when you see any of the security agencies start media trial on a case, then they have no case. Go and check it, go and check records. Once they leave the court where you ought to take your matter to and go to the media, you’re playing to the gallery and people like us cannot take you seriously because nothing can be eviler than an accusation that denies the accused the right of defence,” he said.

Udensi frowned against what he termed media persecution of the immediate past government, instead of judicial prosecution, stressing that if anybody is accused, in all honesty, they are allowed to defend themselves before anybody can come out and call them evil.

He said that the fact that he is not in agreement with certain decisions and actions of the Alex Otti-led administration does not mean that the administration is not doing well in the area of Infrastructure and went ahead to commend the Governor for the achievements so far.