…says Otti spent ₦360M quarterly maintaining 6 decorative water fountains
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it acknowledged that Governor Alex Otti’s administration has carried out rehabilitation on some already existing roads at outrageously inflated costs; it strongly rejects the false, exaggerated, and highly deceptive claim that 414 roads have been built under Otti’s government.
Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary, APC Abia State, said that the recent claim by Governor Otti that his administration has constructed 414 roads across the state is not true, as the APC, being a party on the ground in Abia, has carried out its own investigation and cannot accept such false claims.
Aguoru who was reacting to the claims of Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu that over 414 roads have been completed through the Ministry of Works, Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA).
Kanu went on to add that three years after assuming office, Otti’s government achievements across sectors continue to reinforce the belief that a new Abia is not merely a political slogan, but an unfolding reality driven by vision, discipline, competence and the collective commitment to building a prosperous future for Ndi Abia.
Reacting swiftly, Aguoru said that after a thorough investigation, it has become obvious that these so-called 414 roads exist only on social media propaganda pages and in media briefings, not in the everyday reality of Abians who traverse the roads daily for business, work, and survival.
He said that the government of Alex Otti has elevated propaganda and falsehood to an art form and state policy.
Aguoru said that an Otti’s government that cannot point to verifiable, groundbreaking infrastructure, as seen in neighbouring states such as Imo, Anambra, and Enugu, now seeks refuge in inflated figures and media manipulation.
While calling the claim a blatant lie, Aguoru said, “We therefore challenge Governor Otti to immediately publish the full list of these alleged 414 roads for independent verification by the people of Abia State.”
The APC publicity secretary said that it is deeply embarrassing that an Otti government that has received close to ₦2 trillion from federal allocations and internally generated revenue in less than three years cannot point to a single iconic project that reflects such enormous receipts.
“Beyond the patching of potholes, re-asphalting old roads, closing manholes, the construction of one motor park, erecting a few bus shelters, and repainting the roofs of already existing health centres and old government facilities, what exactly has this administration achieved that is worth celebrating and justifies this endless self-glorification?
“What exactly is Governor Alex Otti celebrating when workers, pensioners, and Abians generally continue to suffer neglect and economic hardship?
“Why are Abia workers among the least paid in Nigeria under a government that reportedly receives over ₦30 billion monthly and continues to accumulate massive revenue inflows?
“How can civil servants still earn salaries as low as ₦23,000 while local security operatives survive on a miserable ₦40,000 monthly wage?,” Aguoru asked.
He said that it is both insensitive, wicked, and indefensible that the same Otti’s government allegedly spends over ₦360 million quarterly maintaining six decorative water fountains while pensioners are abandoned, gratuities remain unpaid, and the government has refused to fully implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage approved by the federal government.
According to Aguoru, “Governance is not about media optics, the hiring of skit makers for image laundering, staged commissioning ceremonies, or inflated statistics.” Governance is about measurable impact on the lives of ordinary people; governance is about the overall welfare of the people.
“Unfortunately, under Alex Otti, governance appears to have become an exercise in public relations, where perception matters more than performance.
“The APC in Abia State once again demands transparency and accountability. Let Governor Alex Otti publish the complete details of the alleged 414 roads, including their locations, contract sums, and contractors.”
He said that the essence of making the publication is so that Abia people can judge for themselves whether Otti’s administration is truly delivering development or merely hawking propaganda.
Aguoru said that Abia people demand transparency, empathy, good governance, and, above all, honesty from their government.
