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Perspective: Demolishing the last vestiges of PDP’s misgovernance in Abia – Eagle Okoro

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2024

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The State Government on Saturday, August 17, 2024 began to make good its vow to reclaim lands that were illegally acquired from government-owned schools by “smart” officials of the Okezie Victor Ikpeazu-led administration.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, gave the hint concerning the resolve of the State Executive Council (EXCO) to recover all the affected lands.Prince Kanu told journalists at a briefing in Umuahia that 180 public schools were “alienated and encumbered” through such unwholesome acquisition by functionaries of the last administration.

He said that Gov. Alex Otti had inaugurated a special committee to drive the process of the recovery of the parcels of land. Interestingly, the committee, headed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, with the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, as Secretary, commenced its assignment with the demolition of illegal structures erected on the property of the Government College, Umuahia.In a speech at the demolition site, the General Manager of Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Kingsley Agomoh, described the exercise as a warning to those who have the habit of encroaching on government land.Agomoh further said that the Abia State Government handed over the Government College, Umuahia to the Old Boys’ Association, along with a Certificate-of-Occupancy.He, therefore, wondered why some individuals would throw caution to the wind and embark on the sale of government land, stressing the need for people to properly enquire before entering into such transactions.Of course, the demolition at the Government College, Umuahia, where a great expanse of land was dubiously purchased by unscrupulous top government functionaries of the Ikpeazu’s unfortunate era, would be replicated in the remaining 179 identified schools and possibly more that might show up in the course of the committee’s assignment.

The racketeering that characterised the last administration, though typical of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was so highly irritating and scandalous as it was legendary of the party – a proof that a “leopard does not change its spots”. What a manner of irresponsible and indisciplined government it was that allowed such rascality to freely happen and the perpetrators are wishing that it be swept under the carpet? Such a felony and large-scale offence against the state could only be ignored by a compromised government. Or, better still, a “kporakpo” PDP administration.But it was fulltime for PDP’s litany of looting and acts of misdemeanor.

Their crimes had, indeed, run full circle and God decreed that “Enough is enough!” Enough of the deceit, treachery and subterfuge in governance. God said that Abia must be free and His people liberated! It is obvious that the recklessness in the governance of Abia was so possible for 24-long years because PDP strongly believed that it would remain in power “till thy kingdom come”, hence their slogan: “Abia is PDP; PDP is Abia!”And now that a new Sheriff is in town and a Daniel coming to judgment, it would certainly be nothing short of an intentional and irreversible demolition of all the evil and wicked vestiges of PDP’s bad governance, wherever they may still be existing.And make no mistake to expect a preservation of the anti-progressive status quo ante that stalled Abia’s prosperity and development for the more than two decades a bunch of insensitive political class in PDP reigned supreme.It has been repeatedly recommended that Gov. Otti must take decisive measures that are not only disruptive in nature but capable of upturning the status quo to be able to successfully move Abia on the path of transformation and development. Naturally, what is happening in the state today would not be welcoming to PDP and those that plundered and misappropriated the resources of Abia, having also wrecked the fortunes of the state due to their greed and insatiable quest for personal aggrandizement. As Seth Godin, an American teacher and renowned author, would say, “If you’re not upsetting anyone, you’re not changing the status quo”. Gov. Otti is determined to step on toes to be able to fix Abia and certainly owes no apologies to those who had for many decades stood as a cog in the wheel of Abia’ progress. They are the ones so so upset, ranting and raving, crying wolf over such corrective policies and programmes of his administration.It was here in Abia that a sitting governor of PDP stock purchased a state-of-the-art printing equipment, ostensibly for the state-owned National Ambassador Newspaper, only to allegedly divert the same to establish a private media outfit in Lagos. And, expectedly, nothing happened thereafter to date. That act of open thievery was swept under the carpet by the succeeding administration. But this time around, it would be self-delusion and mere wishful thinking for any reasonable Abian to expect that any of such callous abuse of power by Ikpeazu and/or his political acolytes, who shamelessly and unconscionably coveted public properties, should be ignored. Doing so would on its own be tantamount to another crime against the state. It is no longer a subject of debate or speculation that Gov. Otti has come to cleanse the Augean stables left behind by PDP, hence his government would continue to expose and deal with the mindless and unimaginable underhand dealings that were perpetrated against the state by PDP.Nothing can be more motivating and gratifying than when the governor looks back to appreciate what he has so far achieved in clearing the Okezie’s mess in the 15 months of his administration.Suffice it to state here that topping the list of his achievements is his effortless defrayal of the humongous N10 billion arrears of pensions bequeathed to his government by the Ikpeazu’s profligate eight-year tenure. Next was the defrayment of the staggering N50 billion salary arrears accummulated by Ikpeazu’s administration, in spite of having the grace of benefiting from the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s over N1 trillion Bailout Funds to states of the federation in August 2015. It is imperative to say that the Federal Government’s intervention was specifically tied to the payment of arrears of salaries and pensions owed by states.Unfortunately and ironically, too, Abia’s share of the bailout funds, totalling N14.2 billion, was scandalously squandered, while Ikpeazu allowed salaries and pensions to pile up.The same Ikpeazu-led government also received over N22 billion Paris Club Refund that was unaccounted for, yet Abia civil servants were owed several months of salary arrears under the pretext that Abia had no money.Today, what was deemed impossible under Ikpeazu and PDP has been seamlessly made possible by the governor. Abia workers and the respected senior citizens now receive bank alerts for their salaries and pensions on the 28th of every month.Little wonder the outcome of the 2023 Governorship poll caused Ikpeazu and his co-travellers in the ill-fated administration an unimaginable nightmare.Many hold the view that the racketeering on the landed property of public schools was only one aspect of the last vestiges of the odious PDP-led government. Consequently, it is expected that as more of such brazen misdeeds get uncovered, more bulldozers and necessary actions would be unleashed to deal summarily with them. Today, the attention is on public schools, who knows where else such an impunity might have recklessly happened but yet uncovered. As the efforts toward reimagining and building a new Abia by Gov. Otti’s administration gathers more momentum, the people expect the government to dig deeper to further uncover the hidden crimes perpetrated during Ikpeazu’s eight years. This is to further pave the way for greater sanity and unencumbered system.The more such unholy vestiges and traces of PDP’s impunty and malfeasance are exposed and demolished, the closer the march toward the realisation of the envisioned new Abia.

Eagle Okoro is a Public Affairs analyst and writes from Umuahia.

Human angle

From Dilapidation to Dignity: The Mercy Anosike story

Published

1 week ago

March 8, 2026

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Mrs. Mercy Anosike might have still been living in her shacks had help not met her a few months ago.

Mrs. Anosike’s living condition was reportedly deplorable until a journalist, Emma Nwazue of Afia TV brought it to the attention of the governor during a media chat in Umuahia where the governor ordered an immediate intervention.

Confronted by challenges of widowhood and childlessness after the loss of all her children, Mrs. Anosike continued to trudge on not knowing what the future held for her.

However, fate smiled at her and her situation changed for good with the construction and furnishing of a bungalow by the Abia state government.

Residents of her village, Ukome in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State could not contain their joy as they showered encomiums on the wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, for donating a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment to the widow.

During the commissioning and handover of the house, Mrs. Otti described Mrs. Anosike’s story as one of remarkable strength and resilience.

According to her, Mama Anosike lost her children and was left alone, yet despite the painful challenges she faced, she has continued to remain a beacon of hope within her community.

.Mrs. Otti was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa,.

According to her the story of the woman’s poor and difficult living conditions elicited compassion from the governor who immediately directed that she be moved out of her dilapidated home and provided with a new, comfortable residence.

She disclosed that through her office, support had continued to reach widows and other vulnerable persons across the state, giving them a renewed sense of belonging and care.

“This house is a testament to our commitment and a tangible expression of our efforts to empower women and support vulnerable groups in Abia State,” she said.

In her remarks, the Deputy Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mrs. Chinwe Odoemelam, commended the wife of the governor for her compassion and dedication to the welfare of vulnerable members of society.

She also enjoined the community to reciprocate the gesture by supporting the administration of Governor Alex Otti, while appealing to the government to consider addressing some of the community’s challenges, particularly in the area of road construction.

For Miss Patricia Ngborogwu of Flo FM radio , she expressed relief and fulfilment that her foundation provided succour at some point for Mrs. Anosike and commended Governor Otti for his swift and compassionate response when the matter was mentioned to him.

Patricia stated that the governor’s action was a demonstration that responsive leadership and empathy can bring real transformation to people’s lives.

“The beneficiary, Mama Mercy Anosike, in her response expressed gratitude, saying the gesture feels like a dream. She praised Governor Otti for promoting inclusive governance and remembering the less privileged in the society.

News

APC state Congress: Aguoru emerges Publicity Secretary as OMPAN felicitates

Published

2 weeks ago

March 4, 2026

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Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Following the emergence of Chief Uche Aguoru as the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Abia state from the Congress held on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2026, bloggers under the auspices of the Abia Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) in Abia has congratulated him on his new position.

Chief Aguoru emerged like other members of the state working committee through a harmonised list of stakeholders across the 17 LGAs of the state which also has Hon. Chijioke Chukwu as the new party chairman of the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Comrade Loveday Chidi, OMPAN expressed confidence in Chief Aguoru’s capacity to effectively project the image and ideals of his party, noting that excellence and professionalism remain core principles of the association.

“On behalf of the State Chairman and the entire membership of OMPAN, we extend our warm congratulations to one of our own, Chief Uche Aguoru, on his election as the State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State.

“We have no doubt that he will diligently and competently discharge the responsibilities entrusted to him,” the statement read.

The statement further reaffirmed the continued support of the association’s leadership, under the chairmanship of Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, to members who distinguish themselves in their respective organizations and spheres of influence.

OMPAN assured Chief Aguoru of its goodwill and institutional support as he assumes his new responsibilities.

News

Abia government to collaborate with UNDP On second edition of Jubilee fellows program which aligns with administration’s vision

Published

1 month ago

February 6, 2026

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By Editor, Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has assured of the readiness of his administration to collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0.

He has also said that his government was not taking the issues of the development and empowerment of Abia youths for granted, hence, the willingness to collaborate with the federal government and UNDP to further empower the youths.

Governor Otti stated this on thursday, February 5th, i, when he received a delegation of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination – Office of the Vice President Akubo Adegbe and the UNDP team who paid him a working visit to seek the state’s formal participation in the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.- the support and preferred areas of interest to engage Abia youths.

Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 is a flagship Federal Government youth employment initiative coordinated by the Office the Vice President and implemented with UNDP, with funding from the European Union.

Established in 2022, NJFP provides 12‑month paid placements for young graduates across public, private, and civil society sectors.Governor Otti described the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 as a programme that aligns perfectly with his vision for the development of the youths in the State.

The number one citizens of the state said that his areas of preference for the collaboration and investment are, the digital space, creative economy, energy, and leadership, informing the delegation that his government has empowered many youths with digital skills through the TechRise programme, which has trained and graduated over 1,359 Abia Youths and the Abia leadership Academy too which has trained and graduated about 1000 Abia youths..”We are not taking the issue of the Youths lightly. That is why I said maybe you had a peep into what we were doing. So, this aligns strategically with our own thinking. “The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0 sounds to me like a programme that was adopted from here, because even before you came, we already had started doing something.

“”There’s a programme we call the Techrise programme, where we train our young people. The first set that we graduated were about 510. “And then the second set, Techrise 2.0, we graduated 849. It was actually supposed to be 850, but toward the end of the programme, we lost one of the students. And it’s all about digital economy, “and, if you ask me what is the preferred area, I would say digital economy first and then the creative economy, energy, and then a few other areas that our people are interested in,” he said.

The governor equally noted that he introduced Leadership Academy for young people and the programme has ran 2 streams and graduated about a thousand young people, informing the delegation that another set would soon commence for the year.

Governor Otti, who assured that he would be glad to work with the team, directed the Principal Secretary and Chief Strategy Officer of the Government, Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, to work with the team. He said that he believes that after graduating from tertiary institution, the graduates should get integrated into the wider society and become useful.

“I’ve always also held the view that after the gown, you need to integrate it with the town. You know, the town and gown. “Go and learn something in school. So, you come out, and then you can now decide what you want.

“There should be that integration between the town and the gown,” Gov. Otti said.

Earlier, the team lead of the UNDP, Innocent Ejolu, said that they were in the state to discuss how Abia can scale and sustain youth employment strategically, transparently, and with speed.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union, implemented by UNDP, with political and strategic leadership from the Office of the Vice President.

He said that the programme is a “new phase designed to deploy 20,000 fellows annually nationwide with deeper skills, smarter matching, and stronger retention.

“We’ve placed over 14,000 young Nigerians across all the 36 states and the federal capital territory.

“With Abia’s co-investment, we can scale from hundreds to nearly thousands of fellows, build a pipeline of future civil servants and entrepreneurs, and unlock private capital for human development,” Mr Ejolu stated.

Contributing, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Coordination and Delivery, Office of the Vice President, Mr Akubo Adegbe, while commending the leadership that Governor Otti has provided in the power sector and other sectors of the economy, noted that many national programmes have come and fizzled out in the past, hence, the Vice President has insisted that the programme should be domesticated to align with the visions of the State.

“The only way to make sure it does not follow the path of programmes that have come and gone is to ensure that the implementation of the programme is domesticated.

“We redesigned this 2.0 to better reflect the needs of the people, which is why we are having this conversation, to ensure that the redesigned 2.0 is sustainable,” Adegbe said.

Mr Adegbe, who disclosed that the programme is designed to deploy 20,000 fellows at the minimum across the country every year, made three key requests, including; the Governor’s political support for the programme, his contribution to the basket fund and choice of sectors the Governor thinks would work better for the people of the State.