EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD
In today’s landscape of modern governance, particularly at the state level, the ability to manage public resources transparently and responsibly is not just a hallmark of good leadership but the foundation of sustainable development. Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Alex Chioma Otti has demonstrated a consistent commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and service-oriented leadership. These guiding principles have shaped his stewardship of Abia State and have already delivered visible results that continue to attract national attention and growing public trust.
Recently, however, a misleading write-up titled “Abia’s Q2 Financial Report: N75bn Surge in External Loans as Monthly Allocation Hits N38bn” attempted to cast doubt on the integrity of the Otti administration’s financial practices. Couched in technical language, the piece is fraught with flawed interpretations, factual inaccuracies, and misleading insinuations. For the sake of clarity and public enlightenment, it is necessary to correct the record using verified data from the Abia State Government’s Q2 2025 Budget Performance Report, which is publicly available on the official government website.
One of the most misleading claims in the article centers on the increase in Abia’s external debt from ₦80.09 billion in 2023 to ₦155.79 billion by June 2025. While the figures themselves are accurate, the interpretation is not. What the writer fails to acknowledge is that most of these obligations are legacy loans inherited from previous administrations. The sharp increase in their valuation in naira is a direct consequence of the significant depreciation of the national currency. When Governor Otti assumed office in 2023, the exchange rate stood at ₦899.39 to the US dollar. By June 2025, it had risen to ₦1,535.32. Given that many of these debts are denominated in foreign currencies, their value in naira terms naturally rose. This increase has nothing to do with reckless borrowing and everything to do with broader macroeconomic realities affecting every state in the country.
Another misrepresentation in the article concerns the ₦287 billion listed under Capital Development Fund receipts, which the writer wrongly interprets as evidence of unrestrained borrowing. However, the Q2 report clearly states—particularly on page nine—that this figure includes capital receipts, grants, and donor support from development partners. These funds come from programs such as the Nigeria for Women Project, the Accelerated Nutrition Fund, and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project. These are not debts but performance-based disbursements provided to states that meet strict governance, transparency, and accountability standards. That Abia qualified for and attracted such funding speaks volumes about the credibility and efficiency of the current administration.
The article also questions how the government could spend ₦75 billion on capital projects in a single quarter and implies that these investments are not visible. This assertion is not only false but also disproven by the physical transformation taking place across the state. Under Governor Otti’s leadership, more than 230 kilometers of roads have been reconstructed or rehabilitated. These include major infrastructure projects such as the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, the revitalization of the Umuahia Ring Road, and various roads in Aba North, Aba South, Umuahia, Ohafia, Obingwa, Isuikwuato, and other LGAs. These landmark road projects are already improving mobility, stimulating local economies, enhancing security, and creating jobs. Furthermore, the administration continues to award new contracts through open competitive bidding, engaging only credible contractors and ensuring that every naira spent delivers real value.
These tangible achievements are backed by independent assessments. For instance, the 2025 State Performance Index recently released by Phillips Consulting confirms Abia’s progress. The report ranks Abia number one in Nigeria for capital expenditure per capita, showing that the state invests more in economic and social infrastructure per citizen than any other. Abia also ranks second in road quality and support for local businesses, ninth in security, and fourth in policy awareness. These rankings are based on verified data, not political spin, and reflect a state that is being governed with vision, discipline, and strategic intent.
The issue of salary and pension arrears, which the article also touches on, must be addressed with accuracy. It is well known that Governor Otti inherited enormous liabilities, including more than ₦18 billion owed to parastatal workers such as lecturers of Abia State University. What matters is the structured and transparent effort the government adopts to settle these debts. Many workers have already been paid, while a careful verification process is ongoing to ensure that only legitimate claims are honored. This step is essential to eliminate fraud and ghost beneficiaries. The claim that the Debt Management Office accused Abia State of misreporting its debt repayment status is entirely false. No such allegation exists, and the state remains fully compliant with all federal debt reporting protocols.
In an era marked by economic hardship, rising inflation, and widespread financial mismanagement, Abia has emerged as a model of responsible governance. Roads are being constructed and reconstructed. Schools and hospitals are being revitalized and equipped. Civil servants are being paid promptly. Security of lives and prosperity has improved. Projects are not just announced but executed and delivered across the state. Most importantly, the people are being carried along and informed at every step. This is governance rooted in integrity and people-focused service.
Governor Otti has chosen not to govern through propaganda. He has allowed his work to speak for itself. His administration is not driven by noise but by measurable outcomes. Attempts to discredit this progress with conjecture and misinformation cannot change the fact that a new governance culture has taken root in Abia. It is a culture defined by transparency, accountability, and results.
It is time critics recognized that a higher standard has been established in Abia which prioritizes truth over shenanigans, performance over politics, and service over self-interest. Governor Alex Otti continues to provide not just good governance but a clear example of what purposeful leadership looks like. Abia today is not only making real progress but is also showing the rest of the country what is possible when integrity, competence, and public trust work together.
Indeed, Abia is a compelling case study in transparent and accountable leadership, and the facts speak for themselves.
– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.