Abia Govt Replies Benjamin Kalu: 'We Govern with Facts, Not False Figures'

... Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, defends Abia's performance record, says Deputy Speaker's comments show lack of economic understanding.

The Abia State Government has responded to recent comments made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, describing them as "baseless and misleading," and an attempt to distort facts about the ongoing transformation in the state under Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the government said it was unfortunate that a lawmaker of Kalu's stature could "display such an embarrassing level of economic and financial ignorance" in his recent public remarks comparing Governor Otti's performance with that of his predecessors.

According to the statement, Kalu's claim that the Abia government receives 38 billion monthly from the Federation Account is "false and deliberately misleading." The government clarified that the state's total Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts for the first eight months of 2025, including allocations to Local Governments, stood at 125 billion - a far cry from the figures quoted by the Deputy Speaker.

Ekeoma explained that since Governor Otti assumed office, his administration has operated with transparency, accountability, and prudence despite the economic realities facing the country. He further stated that the drastic fall in the value of the naira - from 460 to the dollar in April 2023 to about 1,500 in 2025 - has significantly affected the real value of funds available to states.

"For someone in Kalu's position, it is disappointing to ignore basic economic facts. A project that cost 1 billion in 2022 now costs nearly 4 billion today due to currency devaluation and inflation," Ekeoma said.

The statement also highlighted key achievements under the Otti administration, including the increase in the state's minimum wage from 30,000 to between 70,000 and 74,000, as well as the expansion of the verified state workforce from about 31,000 to over 67,000 employees - excluding more than 5,000 newly recruited teachers.

Ekeoma accused Kalu of keeping silent when "injustice and neglect" were meted out to Abia workers under previous administrations, suggesting that his sudden criticism of Otti was driven by political ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The statement further questioned why Kalu avoided mentioning the administration of his "former boss and benefactor," Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, when comparing Otti with ex-Governors T.A. Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu.

"It is ironic that Kalu finds his voice only now. He should know that leadership is about service, not showmanship," Ekeoma added.

Concluding, the Abia Government urged the Deputy Speaker to focus on his legislative responsibilities and to seek proper understanding of governance and fiscal realities before making public statements.

"The crowd that welcomed Governor Otti and President Tinubu's representative in Aba were not rented. They are everyday Abians who have seen a new direction in leadership," Ekeoma stated.

He advised Kalu to "relax, take a cold drink, and wait for campaign time," insisting that the present administration remains focused on delivering good governance to the people of Abia State.