N54bn Controversy: APC Chieftain Urges Gov Otti To Stop Telling Stories, "Publish the Schools"
- A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state, Prince Paul Ikonne, has thrown a fresh challenge at Governor Alex Otti
- Ikonne urged Governor Otti to stop the distractions and show the renovated schools to the people of Abia State
- He said it is clear that Governor Otti is either deliberately misleading Abians about the N54 billion or "is unaware of what his government is signing off”
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has been urged to stop “distracting the people with contradictions” and come clean on the ₦54 billion school renovation controversy.
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prince Paul Ikonne, challenged Governor Otti to show the people of Abia state the schools.
Source: Facebook
Ikonne said similar sums had been written off in the past without evidence on the ground.
The APC chieftain noted that about ₦18 billion was previously announced for school renovation, with “nothing to show for it.”
He accused the Labour party (LP) governor of distracting the public with contradictions.
This was contained in a statement issued by Ikonne’s Chief Press Secretary, Ujo Justice, and made available to Legit.ng on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Ikonne wondered why Governor Otti, who boasts of having “seasoned accountants,” would be contradicting himself, all in a bid to downplay a now national issue and the question on the lips of every Abian: where are the schools, and where is the ₦54 billion?”
He said if Governor Otti insists that only ₦2.1 billion was spent on schools, then he must explain why his own administration’s budget records state otherwise.
According to Ikonne, an online report indicates that in the 2024 budget, ₦64.7 billion was allocated for the renovation/modelling of 51 schools, averaging ₦1.26 billion per school.
“This data,” Ikonne stressed, “makes it clear that the governor is either deliberately misleading Abians or is unaware of what his government is signing off.”
“Governor Otti should stop hiding behind semantics. Budgets are estimates, but expenditures are facts. The documents clearly show ₦54 billion was reported as spent between October and December 2024. If he disputes this, let him publish the schools. Abians are not asking for excuses — we are asking for evidence.”
Ikonne urged Governor Otti to prioritize truth over propaganda, stating that leadership is about accountability, not storytelling.
The APC chieftain added that Governor Otti cannot claim to be the face of transparency while avoiding the simplest of questions: show us the schools.
Source: Twitter
APC group accuses Governor Otti of lacking transparency
Legit.ng earlier reported that APC members under the Abia’s Best Interest Association made serious allegations against Governor Otti.
The Abia’s Best Interest Association accused Governor Otti of lacking transparency in managing the state’s affairs.
The Convener of the APC group, Eze Chikamnayo, decried the deplorable state of infrastructure in these schools despite the N54bn budgeted for the renovation of public schools.
PDP demands accountability from Alex Otti
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that the People Democratic Party (PDP) strongly demanded accountability, accusing the incumbent state government of secrecy in the cost of projects and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
The party said that while Governor Otti, as an opposition leader, fiercely and consistently criticised the former administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, he has now, as governor, become increasingly intolerant of dissent.
PDP Publicity Secretary, Mazi Eric Ikwuagwu, noted that the administration has come under intense public scrutiny, "as respected voices once aligned with the current government now raise alarm over alleged financial mismanagement."
Source: Legit.ng
