The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has issued a scathing rebuttal to recent remarks by the Abia State Government, asserting that the people of the state deserve “good governance, accountability, and transparency — not propaganda.”
This response followed a statement from Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, titled “Governance in Abia: Benjamin Kalu Needs Tutorials More Than He Needs a Microphone.” The statement was issued in response to recent comments made by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, during an address in Umuahia on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Speaking to members of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP), Kalu had strongly criticized the Otti administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on its promises despite the substantial increase in state revenue since 2023. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would reclaim Abia State in 2027 based on what he described as the current government’s disappointing performance.
Rather than addressing the substance of the concerns, Kalu’s office argued, Governor Otti’s camp resorted to “blatant propaganda and personal attacks” that do not address the “pressing issues and legitimate concerns” raised.
“This rebuttal seeks to set the record straight,” the Deputy Speaker’s Office said in a press release signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to Kalu. “We aim to expose the contradictions, failures, and falsehoods of a government that has replaced governance with public relations theatrics.”
1. ₦38 Billion Monthly Revenue, Little to Show
According to data from the Abia State Government’s own Q2 2025 Financial Report, the state receives an average of ₦38 billion monthly from various sources, including FAAC allocations, internally generated revenue (IGR), and federal interventions.
Between April and June 2025 alone, Abia received over ₦114 billion, the report said. However, the Deputy Speaker’s Office pointed to the state’s poor infrastructure, collapsing healthcare system, and continued non-payment of pensions and gratuities as evidence of mismanagement.
“There is no visible development to justify these revenues,” the statement said. “From dilapidated roads and schools to unpaid workers and retirees, Abians have seen very little progress.”
2. Exchange Rate Excuse Is Baseless
Governor Otti’s administration has often blamed poor performance on exchange rate instability. But Kalu’s office dismissed this excuse, citing examples from neighbouring states.
“Enugu, Anambra, and Imo are all operating under the same economic conditions, yet they are commissioning new infrastructure projects, flyovers, and housing estates,” the statement noted. “Even regular salary payments and pensions — not tied to foreign exchange — are neglected in Abia.”
The Deputy Speaker also condemned the government’s alleged coercion of pensioners into forfeiting ₦70 billion in entitlements. “Abia remains the only state in Nigeria yet to pay a single kobo in gratuity,” the statement said.
3. Civil Servants Still Earning ₦29,000
The release further criticized the state government’s treatment of workers, saying its failure to implement a new minimum wage exposed a lack of compassion.
While other states have adopted or exceeded the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage, many Abia workers reportedly still earn as little as ₦29,000. Newly hired nurses receive ₦80,000, significantly below the ₦340,000 recommended by the national CONHESS standard already implemented in other states.
“Arbitrary deductions, delayed payments, and intimidation of civil servants have become normalized,” the statement said. “How does a government that preaches reform treat its workers worse than past administrations?”
4. Where Are the Missing Billions?
The Deputy Speaker’s Office raised questions about how the rest of the monthly ₦38 billion is being spent, claiming that ₦6.7 billion is used for salaries — leaving over ₦31 billion unaccounted for each month.
The statement also accused the government of misleading the public by only citing the number of state workers while excluding those at the local government level. “Even after retrenching over 10,000 workers in the name of restructuring, the government still fails to account for the bulk of the state’s earnings,” it said.
5. $263.8M Loan, No Landmark Projects
The Office of the Deputy Speaker also raised alarm over the approval of a $263.8 million African Development Bank (AfDB) loan for Abia, of which $125 million has reportedly already been disbursed through the Islamic Development Bank.
Despite this, the Deputy Speaker noted there is no record of major infrastructure or capital projects to justify the loans. “Where are the roads, bridges, schools, or health facilities? Nothing on the ground shows this money was used for the people,” the statement read.
The office argued that raising legitimate concerns over such massive borrowings is not political but patriotic. “Kalu is speaking for the silent majority of Abians who feel deceived by a government more interested in media appearances than actual work.”
6. Media Machinery, No Substance
The Otti administration, the statement said, has become a “PR government,” relying heavily on media hype while neglecting real governance.
“Weekly photo ops, flashy documentaries, and coordinated social media campaigns give an illusion of progress,” the Deputy Speaker’s Office said. “But in reality, schools remain broken, hospitals are under-equipped, and essential services are dysfunctional.”
The Office maintained that Kalu’s comments were not personal but grounded in facts, and expressed disappointment that the Governor’s media team responded with insults instead of accountability.
7. 2027: APC Poised to Take Over
Concluding the press release, the Deputy Speaker’s Office said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is “well positioned” to take over Abia State in 2027, pledging a new era of transparency, people-focused governance, and responsible leadership.
“With ₦38 billion in monthly inflows, federal interventions, and international loans, Abia has all it needs to thrive. But mismanagement, opacity, and propaganda have held the state back,” the statement read.
“It’s time for Abians to reject empty slogans and demand results. The era of deception is over.”
Signed:
Levinus Nwabughiogu
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria
