The All Progressives Congress in Abia state have observed one unfortunate, embarrassing, and recurring disappointment in the administration of Governor Alex Otti-glaring lack of coordination in information management. Time and again, the governor’s spokesman, Ferdinand Ekeoma, steps into the public space to comment on matters about which he appears to possess little or no knowledge.
Whether this stems from inadequate briefing, fear of seek clarity from the governor, or the possibility that the governor himself provides inadequate information to his aides.
During the recently concluded and successful APC Congress in Abia State, an event that understandably unsettled the current Labour Party administration, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and leader of the party in the state, Benjamin Kalu, addressed party faithful and emphasized why Abians should work diligently to deliver overwhelming support for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in future elections.
In his remarks, he highlighted several critical federal government projects executed in Abia State under the leadership of President Tinubu. Among the projects mentioned were the reconstruction of the Omenuko Bridge and the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road.
Rather than seek accurate information or clarification on these projects, Mr. Ekeoma chose the unfortunate route of deploying gutter language and uncouth remarks against Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for simply stating verifiable facts about the Omenuko Bridge.
For the sake of clarity and to prevent further attempts to mislead the people of Abia State, the facts surrounding the Omenuko Bridge are straightforward. Even Governor Alex Otti himself acknowledged that the project is a federal government project and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu only reinforced what the governor himself acknowledged in his official handle.
This admission can be verified in his official tweet dated November 1, 2025, during the inspection tour conducted the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, on federal government projects across the state.
The reconstruction of the Omenuko Bridge was originally awarded to Setraco Construction in 2015 and subsequently reviewed in 2023. Governor Otti later wrote formally to President Tinubu through the Ministry of Works requesting approval to undertake the reconstruction with the understanding that the Federal Government would reimburse the state.
The situation is similar with the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road attracted through an APC lawmaker Hon. Sam. Onuigbo, a 43-kilometre federal road project originally awarded in 2018, with approximately 19 kilometres already completed. The Abia State Government undertook the remaining 27 kilometres, largely because of property encroachments beginning from Opet Junction through Ikwuano. The state agreed to handle compensation payments and complete the outstanding portion while pursuing reimbursement from the Federal Government.
For the benefit of the public, it is also important to note other federal government road projects currently ongoing in Abia State. These include:
The Owerrinta–Umuikaa Road dualization, presently ongoing.
The Onuimo–Tower Road dualization, also under construction.
The Ohafia–Arochukwu Road, another critical federal road project currently underway.
The working arrangement between the Federal Government and Abia State Government on some of these projects operates under a “Build and We Will Pay” framework. Under this approval granted the Federal Government, the projects remain fundamentally federal government projects, as President Tinubu’s administration bears the ultimate responsibility for reimbursing the full cost.
Governor Otti therefore sought and obtained approval from the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works before embarking on these projects. The implication is clear: these projects are the product of cooperation between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government, with the state expected to receive full reimbursement.
In her lack of transparency, opaqueness and fraudulent financial culture of the present administration, the full cost details of these projects have not been transparently disclosed to Abians though we are fully aware that the cost of these projects have been fraudulently over bloated.
The question therefore remains: if, as Mr. Ekeoma claims, these projects are solely the achievements of the Abia State Government, why did the state government seek Federal Government approval before going ahead to execute them, and why has it formally applied for reimbursement?
Attempting to deny President Tinubu the credit for projects executed under his administration which he is fully making reimbursements is both unfair and a grave disservice to the people of Abia State.
Should the Abia State Government persist in denying the Federal Government recognition for these projects merely for cheap political advantage, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State will have no option but to formally petition the Federal Government to suspend all reimbursement processes currently being processed through the Ministry of Works and the Debt Management Office.
Furthermore, if the state government chooses to dispute these facts, the APC will not hesitate to petition the National Assembly to review and possibly halt the processing of any reimbursement requests associated with these projects.
The Abia APC will no longer stand while Governor Otti’s administration continues to deny President Tinubu the recognition and love he deserves for the goodwill he has shown to Abians through infrastructure projects, federal appointments, and the establishment of federal institutions in the state.
Uche Aguoru
Publicity Secretary
Abia State APC.
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