The Abia State government has responded to comments made by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, regarding Governor Alex Otti’s performance in comparison to his predecessors, Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu. The government has taken issue with Kalu’s comparison, stating that it is inaccurate and misleading.

According to the Abia State government, the total allocation to the state and its 17 local government areas is N125 billion, contrary to Kalu’s claim of N304 billion. Kalu had alleged that the monthly Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) allocations to Abia State had increased significantly under Governor Otti, from N4 billion to between N38 billion and N40 billion per month. However, the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has disputed this claim, stating that the actual FAAC allocation for 2025 stands at N125 billion.

Ekeoma has also attributed the rise in project execution costs under Governor Otti to the difference in exchange rates, as materials are often purchased with foreign currency. Additionally, the Abia State government has pointed out that the number of core and non-core civil servants has increased from 31,000 during the previous administration to approximately 67,000 under Governor Otti, following the abolition of the core and non-core distinction. This figure does not include the 5,349 newly recruited teachers.

The Abia State government has further accused Kalu of launching a media attack on Governor Otti due to his undeclared governorship ambition. The government’s response highlights the importance of accurate information and context in evaluating the performance of public officials. As the debate surrounding Governor Otti’s performance continues, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what impact it will have on the state’s governance and development.