Being a press statement from the office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives

Governance, everywhere, is a convenanted social contract with the people and, therefore, passes as a serious business run with all openness. But, unfortunately, what has been going on in Abia State for some time now has been propaganda, where a deluge of lies is dished out to the people on a regular basis by the administration of Dr. Alex Otti.At every turn, the government makes deliberate efforts to conceal public information, yet echoes transparency and accountability.

However, this has been exposed. We are compelled to believe that the aides of the governor are mainly the masterminds of the concoctions, aiming to hoodwink the people and brew unnecessary face-offs.Such tissues of lies resurfaced in the baseless allegations and misinformation peddled in a recent press statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha about a piece of land located along Umuahia-Bende Road and donated for a federal government housing scheme attracted by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing the good people of Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, LL.D, CFR.

The Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, has taken notice of the press statement, decrying the spread of lies and misinformation.It is nothing but a tissue of falsehood aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Deputy Speaker.To put the record straight, the land in question is communally owned and was donated by the Deputy Speaker’s Umuoche community in Bende.

There was no allocation but a donation. The claim of allocating the land by the government for the project is proof that the author of the press statement was ignorant of the facts. We recall that the State government pulled strings to move the housing estate away from Bende town but the Deputy Speaker stood his grounds, insisting that the project was originally billed to be sited along Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia corridor. So, one wonders why the Otti’s administration is now making it look like it was based on allocation by the government.

The second notable issue raised is the alleged demolition of a school building in Bende without the consent of the government. This is another barefaced lie by the Otti’s government.To set the record straight, the Deputy Speaker, in his generosity, had initially planned to build a smart exam centre on a plot where a dilapidated, age-stricken mud school building stood, a building originally constructed through self-help efforts by the Umuoche community after the civil war of over 50 years ago.

This decision came after the Deputy Speaker had already taken steps to improve the school by constructing a block of classrooms and a perimeter fence to secure the premises.However, just as construction was about to begin on the exam centre, a government contractor appeared, expressing interest in the same location for a government smart school project.

This happened when the government came under heavy criticism on its handling of smart schools project in Abia State.The government’s decision to insist on this specific location, despite other available spaces in the premises, raised concerns. Tensions later escalated when hoodlums were deployed to halt the construction, sparking community resistance and police intervention to restore order.

In the end, the government contractor approached the Deputy Speaker with decency and decorum, pleading to use the space, which he graciously agreed to relinquish.Curiously, despite the understanding, no further development has occurred on the site since then, lending credence to the speculation that the only objective of the government was to stop the Deputy Speaker from building the project on the site and not really the construction of any audio smart school.Another project the State government has selfishly stifled its progress is the 50 bed hospital being constructed in Eluokwe Community School, Amaukwu Igbere. We urge the public to recognize the Deputy Speaker’s genuine effort to address the healthcare needs of seven communities of Igbere, Ward B.

The communities had no functional health facility, and they approached him with the request. He then facilitated the construction of the 50-bed hospital to be located within Eluokwe community school compound, with the communities’ approval and agreement on the location.Both the location for the contruction and the contractor handling the job are unknown to the Deputy Speaker. For emphasis sake, legislators facilitate projects without being involved in the execution process. It is the work of the relevant supervising MDAs to do. So, how then could the Deputy Speaker have gone and demolished a building to construct a new one?If it must be stated, it was the agents of the State government that arrested the project supervisor and temporarily stopped work at the site.

It is noteworthy that the Deputy Speaker has been attracting projects to the State even before this administration for which he was accorded commendations and not condemnation as the case now. We therefore want to put it on record that the allegations that the Deputy Speaker pulled down a school building is absolutely unfounded and lacks merit. One wonders how far the government is willing to go on its propaganda machinery to continue deceiving Ndi Abia.A situation where officials of the State at all levels are let loose like rabid dogs and encouraged to pour invectives and vituperations on those who should be partners in the development of the State is absolutely condemnable. Sadly, the government has refused to draw the line between propaganda and good governance.But while we pick holes in the pettiness that dots Otti’s style of governance, we must however commend the governor for the allocation of land in Umuahia for the ongoing construction of the Industrial Court attracted by the Deputy Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker, by any stretch of imagination and conceivable stance, deserves applause for striving to attract projects to shore up the infrastructure needs of the State rather than being maligned.

Hurling abuses at him simply depicts ingratitude. But for us, infrastructure is governance, not politics.And that is why it amazes us that a brilliant media outing of the Deputy Speaker would be misconstrued and attacked in such a ferocious manner. It beats one’s imagination that Otti’s administration is more interested in hurrying to make enemies for itself than friends that can help it achieve more for the people.

But deceptive manoeuvrings are not a good style of governance and we say no to propagandists masquerading as leaders of Abia State. But if they have elevated propaganda to an art, then, they should not pretend to be saints. Such a hypocritical disposition undermines the credibility of government and makes it less people-oriented.On the allegation that the APC door has been shut on Otti: this is not the truth. The press conference was well recorded for anyone to replay the Deputy Speaker and take him on his words. Simply put, he had, prior to now, invited the governor over to APC based on their friendship and the fact that both of them were together in the party. It was a brotherly call to return home. But the governor is a man, capable of chewing his own cud and taking his own decisions. If he decides to return to the party, better for him. It means he will get more support from the Deputy Speaker and other APC stalwarts in the State. If otherwise, there is still no animosity, but to misinterpret the situation is to sow the seed of discord.We will continue to urge Abia people to see through the diversionary tactics of the government and demand better from the administration.

Finally, the Deputy Speaker notes with concern the Governor’s apparent reluctance to pursue peaceful coexistence, and respectfully urges a reconsideration of this stance in the best interest of Abia State.

Scripted by:

Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Former Senator representing Abia Central, Darlington Nwokocha, has described Governor Alex Otti as a leader deeply loved across all strata of Abia State.

The former law maker attributed the widespread acceptance to the governor’s “good works” and commitment to meritocracy.

Speaking to journalists at the Enyimba International Stadium, venue of the grand civic reception organized by the “Ukwa La Ngwa” bloc of Abia State, Nwokocha said Governor Otti has restored meritocracy to governance in the state.

According to him, “the era of using personal connections to secure jobs or contracts in Abia State is over, as the governor now prioritizes competence and merit over favoritism.”

He noted that that approach had contributed significantly to the peace currently enjoyed across all sectors of the state.

“The governor has restored meritocracy to Abia State. Gone are the days when you must know someone to get a job or contract. It’s either you merit it or you don’t. Dr. Alex Otti has no time for frivolities,” Nwokocha said.

The former senator described the massive turnout at the stadium as a clear indication of the genuine love Abians have for the governor, stressing that the crowd was organic and not rented.

“This crowd you see is not rented. They are people who have long yearned for an opportunity to appreciate the governor for his good works and to encourage him to do more. This is love. This is capacity,” he stated.

Senator Nwokocha further eulogized governor Otti for his achievements in office, noting that the people of “Ukwa La Ngwa” understand what is right and that their overwhelming support explains the gathering, describing the 2027 gubernatorial election as a walkover for the governor.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

A renowned Abia philanthropist, business mogul and former deputy gubernatorial candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, has described Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti as a man of his word.

Anyaso who stated this at the grand civic reception organized in honour of the governor by the people of “Ukwa La Ngwa” bloc comprising nine of the seventeen local government areas in Aba recently said that in the few years of Governor Otti’s administration, virtually every aspect of life in Abia State has been positively impacted.

Answering questions from journalists at the event, he observed that the governor had left nothing to chance in delivering on his mandate.

Dr. Anyaso also commended the organizers for deeming it fit to honour the governor.

“I do not want to begin to mention specific areas where the governor has performed because many people have already talked about infrastructure.

“Beyond that, education, healthcare, the civil service, youth development, and other sectors have all received a boost under his administration.

“For me, he has touched every aspect of life, including human capital development,” he said.

The philanthropist explained that his presence at the event was to show solidarity to the governor and with his friends from “Ukwa La Ngwa” who recognized the governor’s achievements and chose to honour him.

“I am from Bende, but first and foremost, I am an Abia man. I came to identify with the governor and my friends from this bloc who saw the light and decided to honour it. It is a well-deserved celebration, and I am pleased with what I have seen here today,” he stated

Dr. Anyaso reiterated that Governor Otti had earned the support of Abia people stressing that anyone seeking to challenge him for a second term would face strong resistance.