By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

As the purported expenditure of over N54 billion by the administration of Governor Alex Otti on projects in schools in Abia State continues to generate controversy, a pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) group in the state has tasked the governor to give account of how the money was spent.

The group operating under the platform of the Abian’s Best Interest Association, also warned the governor not to contemplating joining the APC in the state. At a press conference Tuesday in Abuja titled “Where is Abia’s N54 billion?”, the Convener of the group, Hon. Barrister Eze Chikamnayo, said his group had visited several Local Government Areas in Abia state where they interacted with stakeholders on developmental issues before embarking on an on-the-spot inspection of public schools in particular.”In Ugwunagbo, LGA, schools visited included Ihie Community Primary School, Ihie Ukwu Primary School, Asa Umunka Primary School, and Ikem Migrant Farmers School. “In Isiala Ngwa South, the team inspected Nneise Primary School – Umuhu/Umuezu Nvosi, Umunkpeyi Primary School – Umunkpeyi Nvosi, and Obuba Primary School – Obuba Nvosi, Ikem Migrant Farmers School. “From our dispassionate observation, we wish to hereby unequivocally decry the deplorable state of infrastructure in these schools, amongst others, noting that the decay was even more alarming in Isiala Ngwa South – the acclaimed and very contentious Local Government of the sitting Governor, Mr Alex Otti “One wonders then, if charity no longer begins at home.”We went further to question the much-publicized ₦54 billion which appeared in the Abia State Budget Performance Report for the renovation and retrofitting of public schools for the year 2024 and stress that a Budget Performance Report, anywhere in the world, details accomplished projects and the actual amounts spent – not mere approved figures.”While accusing the Abia state Governor of undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but claimed to be his supporters, Barr. Chikamnayo recalled that Governor Alex Otti as opposition leader had earlier promised that ‘under my watch, not a Kobo of Abia resources will be stolen’. “We now question how such words can be trusted when his administration thrives on non-disclosure and only tries to explain itself when prompted. “We further wish to express shock that the state government included “recruitment of teachers, buying chalks our teaching aids” among the items for which the ₦54 billion was supposedly spent. “When did employing teachers and purchasing instructional materials become capital projects?”We call on Abians to be vigilant, ask questions, and demand full accountability and transparency from the Alex Otti-led administration. “The future of our children is at stake, and no government should be allowed to mortgage it under the guise of inflated or questionable expenditure.”When asked whether the group will receive Alex Otti into APC if he decides to join, the APC group said: “He wants people to believe that he supports the president but the same time we know that in Abia state he is undermining Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “As we speak, over N300 billion has come from President Tinubu reforms into Abia State government and all the local governments are grounded, castrated and completely insolvent.”We will not receive such a liability into APC. That is what we are saying. Nobody in APC Abia state wants anything called Alex Otti. He is a liability.”He said Abia state on Alex Otti has poorly funded public schools compared to its neighbours in the same south east states. “This lack of transparency and accountability we believe is a gross disservice to Abians.”The Abia Best Interest Association and indeed the APC Abia State, therefore, wishes to draw attention of the pubic to the fact that allocations and various intervention funds coming to Abia State from the Federal Government, have tripled since the inception of the President Tinubu’s Administration – wondering why there was still nothing tangible to show in the education sector in Abia State compared to the situation in Imo and Enugu States, where the government has rebuilt, modernized, and equipped public schools with visible results for all to see.”

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A Security Expert and former Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo has see declared that the arrest of former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will boost his popularity in the North West.

Senator Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, is one of the major arrowheads of the Coalition arrangement with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Dr Jackson Ojo stressed that if the arrest of Tambuwal was intended to diminish his political stature, the strategy will backfire as the anger of the people against the present administration will turn him into the People’s hero.He said that it is not a secret that Tambuwal’s arrest was politically motivated and it is believed that it is part of the plot to weaken the rising popularity of the ADC among Nigerians.”I know that when Aminu Tambuwal was governor of Sokoto State the people wanted him to probe Wamakko but he refused to probe Wamakko. That same man now must have instigated them to write to the EFCC because no other person could have written to the EFCC apart from those in government.”I think they want to reduce the popularity and political influence of Tambuwal in Sokoto State and some parts of the North West in order to weaken the structure of the ADC. That was the untold reason why he was arrested.Responding to questions that EFCC claimed Tambuwal’s arrest was as a result of financial allegations against him, Dr Ojo queried the timing and reminded Nigerians that the EFCC is not doing anything about dozens of petitions against members of APC, who were previously being investigated before they defected to the ruling party.”Does it mean that there is nobody today in APC, including former governors, no former Ministers, no former senator or Lawmakers that are culpable. Why? “This is a political vendetta, this is a political attack to further weaken the opposition, particularly the ADC.”If care is not taken that is the strategy to weaken the opposition and weakening opposition means we are tilting towards a One-party State and One-party State is an autocratic state.”Tambuwal left office since 2023, why now. It is just because of his political profile that is rising and because of his role in ADC.”Former Governor Okowa was invited by EFCC over allegation of over N1.3 trillion graft allegations, immediately Okowa was released what happened?I think the negotiation was that he has to decamp. “Immediately Okowa decamped to the APC with PDP structure in Delta state nobody is hearing anything about his case with the EFCC or the reason why he was investigated. Has returned the money?”Are still working on what the former APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole said that immediately you crossed to the APC your sins will be forgiven?”The sins you committed against Nigerians will be forgiven by a political party. “What is happening now is old fashion. Nigerians have already made up their minds and they know what is happening now is vendetta. If Tambuwal is still a member of the APC today would he be investigated or invited or arrested? “Unknown to them people have already made up their minds already. There is nothing anybody can do now to depopularise Tambuwal in Sokoto State or in the North West. People already know that this is political vendetta.””What they are trying to do now is to intimidate Tambuwal to come to them, but this is old fashion strategy. They should allow Tambuwal to go.”Dr Ojo called on opposition political parties to form strong and formidable front to confront the APC in 2027 like what happened in 2015 when PDP was upstages by coalition of opposition parties.”Opposition parties should come out as a united political force. When they were forming the APC you see a lot of protests with people like Buhari, Tinubu, Pastor Tunde Bakare and others. You saw a lot of protests against the government of Goodluck Jonathan and PDP. “If the APC did it at their formative stage and nothing happened to them, the present opposition parties can also do it peacefully. “The opposition are keeping too my much quiet. It is like they have accepted to be oppressed. This is an oppressive government and the oppressive government is turning this country to a one-party State.”The opposition should come together as a united political force in order to rescue Nigerians from present difficulties. People are facing hardship, there is no security, no education, no health, nothing. The people that Nigerians believe can rescue the country in 2027 they are trying to hang

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has rallied support for Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the Anambra South Senatorial by-election on Saturday.

Soludo, his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; and other APGA chieftains rallied support for Nwachukwu at political rallies held in Nnewi and Aguata Local Government Headquarters respectively.

He also urged all eligible voters to come out in large numbers to participate in the exercise.

“Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu of APGA, embodies the qualities we need in leadership. He is deeply rooted in community values and development.

“Nnewi South and Ihiala have not produced a Senator in the region before.

“Ukpor and Nnewi South supported the late Ifeanyi Ubah when he was contesting, it is now time to support Nnewi South.

“Show me support by voting massively for Chief Nwachukwu.

“The late Ifeanyi Ubah was elected on the platform of YPP- a faction of APGA in 2019. Today, APGA has come back as one united family to reclaim their place”, the governor said.

Soludo also said that the party stands for a transparent, open, and credible electoral process in the forthcoming election.

He described APGA as a people’s movement and called on the people to vote and ensure that their votes count.

Also speaking, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, state Chairman of APGA, called for unity among the people of Nnewi North and Aguata to ensure a successful campaign and eventual victory.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Dr Chibueze Oforbuike, Chairman, Aguata LGA, reaffirmed commitment of the people to deliver 100 per cent support for APGA in the Aug. 16 senatorial by-election.

In his remarks, Nwachukwu expressed gratitude to the party chieftains and the people, pledging to prioritise their needs if elected.

A minute of silence was observed in honour of the late Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah at the rally.