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“You Can’t Silence Accountability” — Abia APC Accuses Otti of Intimidation, Financial Mismanagement

“The Abia State chapter of the APC has accused Governor Alex Otti of suppressing opposition voices and mismanaging public funds, alleging that despite monthly revenues of about ₦60 billion, workers remain underpaid and development projects are lacking across local governments.”

“A fresh political storm is brewing in Abia State as the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) levels explosive allegations against Governor Alex Otti’s administration, accusing it of “intimidation, propaganda, and massive financial mismanagement” despite rising state revenues. The party insists that “no amount of bullying can silence the demand for accountability.”

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised alarm over what it describes as a “disturbing pattern of intimidation and suppression of accountability” under the administration of Governor Alex Otti.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the party alleged that “any attempt to demand transparency is met with coordinated attacks, bullying, and media intimidation orchestrated by agents of the state government.”

According to the APC, Governor Otti appears “deeply uncomfortable with scrutiny” and is “quick to deploy attack machinery against individuals who question what the party describes as high-level fraud, lack of transparency, and misgovernance in the state.”

The statement further claimed that “no one is spared from these attacks, including political figures who once supported the Governor’s rise to power.”

Citing recent developments, the APC alleged that “agents of the government launched sustained media attacks against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,” a figure the Governor had previously praised. Similarly, the party said its State Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, was targeted for “exposing glaring mismanagement of state resources.”

The party questioned the state’s financial management, stating:
“What clearer definition of mismanagement exists than a situation where Abia reportedly earns an average of ₦60 billion monthly, yet citizens continue to struggle for survival?”

Reacting to claims by the government that Abia was among the first states to implement the new minimum wage, the APC described the assertion as “false and misleading,” adding that “propaganda has been elevated to a tool of governance.”

The statement continued:

“To date, the Abia State Government has yet to fully implement the federally approved minimum wage. Records available to us show that Abia workers remain among the lowest paid in the Southeast and across Nigeria.”

Providing comparative figures, the party noted that “a Grade Level 7 officer in Imo State earns approximately ₦145,000, while their counterpart in Abia earns between ₦80,000 and ₦90,000,” describing the disparity as “evidence of insensitivity to workers’ welfare.”

The APC also raised concerns about local government finances, alleging that councils receive between ₦450 million and ₦600 million monthly but “cannot point to projects worth ₦50 million in the past two years,” suggesting possible diversion of public funds.

In another claim, the party referenced the rapid growth of Signature Bank, alleging it had “surpassed ₦50 billion in recapitalization despite having no visible customer base beyond the Abia State Government,” calling the development “deeply troubling.”

The statement further accused the administration of bypassing due process in contract awards, alleging that “multi-billion naira contracts are being awarded to associates from the Governor’s residence without adherence to legal procurement procedures.”

While acknowledging increased allocations to states under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC argued that “many states have improved workers’ welfare,” contrasting this with Abia where “some workers reportedly still earn between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000 monthly.”

“As a responsible opposition, we cannot remain silent while civil servants suffer, retirees are denied entitlements, and the state underperforms despite significant financial inflows,” the statement said.

The party also questioned the political origins of the Governor’s victory, stating that it was “largely influenced by aggrieved elements across parties,” while warning against what it described as “growing political intolerance.”

Reaffirming its stance, the APC declared:

“The demand for transparency and accountability is non-negotiable. No amount of intimidation will silence the opposition.”
The party concluded by expressing confidence in its leadership under Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, stating that it is “poised to reclaim Abia State in 2027,” targeting key legislative seats and the governorship.