“What We Have In Abia Is Stomach-infrastructure Opposition,  Seeking To Be “Settled ”  – Gov Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured that no one Kobo of Abia State funds will be stolen or  mismanaged under his watch.

At the State’s security trust fund raiser Thursday evening September 11, 2025, held at the Aba Sports Club 1926, Governor Otti, in an  apparent reference to the opposition’s  alleged missing N54 billion school renovation funds, insisted that his administration can never be engaged  in the “stealing of the  commonwealth.”

The Governor, therefore, assured all donors and those that have, in one way or the other,  identified with the State’s Security Trust Fund project, that funds will be judiciously applied for the achievement of the set goals of enhanced security ,and protection lives and properties.

The Governor’s comment is coming against the backdrop of the deafening opposition outcry alleging the mismanagement of N54 billion school renovation funds.

According to the opposition, the present administration in the state had, in its quarterly budget performance report in 2024 , claimed the expenditure of the said amount in rehabilitating about 51 public schools .

But the opposition camp which, three weeks ago, petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, over the alleged missing funds, is insisting that contrary to Government’s claims, there are no renovated schools anywhere in the State to justify the spending of such a humongous amount.

However, while putting a lie to the opposition’s claims, Otti also assured that all  contributions to the trust fund will, as usual, see and feel the impact of the security project.

Governor Otti urged all Abians to buy into the over all philosophy and motives of the security  programme.

“For me ,what is important is for  our people to buy into what we are doing . Buy into the vision,and be part of what we are doing. What matters more to us,  as a Government, is not whether you contribute or not.

“Rather, our major concern is for you to believe in what we are doing as a Government to change the ugly narratives of the past years.

“That is why  I laugh each time they say we are stealing money. Yes, sometimes, you discover some people stealing from the common patrimony.

“But there are some of us that can never steal. Not because we have so much, but because we have been raised up not to steal.  If we need money, we know what to do to  genuinely get money.

“So, anytime you hear that money is missing, as some people that call themselves opposition have been doing, take it that they are  shouting to get noticed, to be patronized, to be given appointment, or done one favour or the other.

“But unfortunately for them, we have passed that level where some desperate individuals, under the guise of opposition, will stampede, intimidate, and blackmail us to get patronized.

” The truth is that you have some people who can not successfully manage themselves outside Government and public funds, trying hard to be settled; who are seeking negotiation.

“However, they will never get what they want because as far as we are concerned, there is no opposition in Abia State. What you have is a few people who want to be settled.

“As the election period is fast approaching, these individuals pretending to be opposition, just want to be relevant, and they believe that  the best option for them is to go out there and be spewing false and misleading information.

“But let me make it clear to all of them that have decided to constitute themselves into stomach-infrastructure opposition that it will be very difficult for them because the good people of Abia state have moved on.

“Where will they start from?  Will they  say that Port Harcourt and Ohanku Roads in Aba which they neglected for years have not been fixed ?

“Or will they say that Obohia Road has been abandoned the same way they did for many years. Our people know and support what we are doing. We, therefore, reassure them that no one dime of public funds will go missing, as every kobo must be accounted for under my watch” Gov Otti stated.

Further speaking ,the Governor noted that security remains a central issue within his administration .

According to him, much as issues bordering on security are not subject to public discourse, the Government is intentional in its quest to protect lives and properties of residents.

“We don’t talk too much about security, but our focus is high on it. We are intentional about it. If you commit any crime, we will get you.

“Even the criminals love what we are doing because they want to drive on good roads,bsend their children to the best schools, use the hospital when they are sick.

” That is why most of them have even relocated from the State . I thank all you that have been supporting us in one way or the other. This is God’s own State, and never again shall the devil reside here” Otti stated .

On his part ,the immediate past National President of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria MAN ,Chief John Udeagbala ,and leader of the Aba business Community , explained that the fundraiser is a  continuation of the security trust fund launch held on July 10, 2025, in Umuahia the state capital.

“Upon reflection, we realized that Aba was not adequately represented at the initial launch, and so we want to use today’s gathering to address the matter by bringing key stakeholders together to drum support for the trust fund.

” Infrastructural transformation is not enough for economic growth and development. It must be complement by security. Without security we can’t enjoy the fruits our labour.

“The burden of security requires the active participation of all of us” Udeagbala noted.

Similarly, in an interview with the Media, the President General of Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association ALPADA, Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo, while calling on landed property owners in the commercial nerve centre of Abia state to key into the security trust fund, noted that the fundraiser is a practical demonstration of the readiness of Aba residents to support the transformation agenda of the Government.

“It is a very clear fact that there have been an intentional approach by the Abia State Government to resuscitate and reclaim the lost glory of Aba, and reposition the State through massive transformation of otherwise moribund infrastructural facilities.

“Economic growth and development also come with their challenges including security. Our efforts today is to practicalize that popular saying that “security is the business of everybody ,not just the Government

” The business Community , landlords and relevant stakeholders have decided to fully identify with support and encourage the Government of the day in its sincere efforts to reposition Abia state and make it a safer place for all”, Udeigbo stated.