By Okey Kanu
Public discourse thrives on facts, fairness, and responsibility. It is therefore important, in the spirit of truth and mutual respect, to address the recent comments credited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, wherein he charged the media team of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to project more of the Federal Government’s “support” to Abia State.
Ordinarily, the Abia State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, would not engage in political distractions. However, when misinformation, especially from a high-ranking federal legislator like the Deputy Speaker has the potential to mislead citizens and distort verifiable data, setting the record straight becomes both a duty and a service to truth.
Let it be stated clearly that Federal Allocations to States are statutory entitlements, not presidential gifts or discretionary favors. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), managed by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), publishes monthly disbursements to all three tiers of government. These allocations come from well-defined revenue subheads such as Statutory Revenue, 13% Derivation, Exchange Gain Allocation, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, VAT Allocation, Ecological Fund, among others.
It is therefore misleading and patently inaccurate to suggest that “Mr. President releases ₦38 billion monthly to Abia State.” The official records, publicly available on the OAGF website (https://oagf.gov.ng/publications/faac-report/), tell a different story.
For the avoidance of doubt, the actual statutory allocations to Abia State between January and June 2025 are as follows:
January: ₦18 billion (FAAC ₦11.2B, JAAC ₦6.8B)
February: ₦22 billion (FAAC ₦13.7B, JAAC ₦8.3B)
March: ₦21.1 billion (FAAC ₦13.4B, JAAC ₦7.7B)
April: ₦20.3 billion (FAAC ₦13.0B, JAAC ₦7.3B)
May: ₦21.5 billion (FAAC ₦13.9B, JAAC ₦7.6B)
June: ₦21.7 billion (FAAC ₦13.8B, JAAC ₦7.9B)
Even the most generous interpretation of these figures does not amount to ₦38 billion monthly, as erroneously claimed by the Deputy Speaker and echoed by some misguided opposition elements.
Public officers must understand the difference between federal statutory allocations shared constitutionally to all states and special interventions or grants, which are discretionary and exceptional. Abia State has not received any special or extraordinary funding beyond the regular FAAC disbursements.
Yet, despite these limitations, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has achieved remarkable progress through prudence, transparency, and fiscal discipline, qualities that appear to irritate those who thrive on sleaze and mediocrity. Indeed, this rare capacity for transformational governance is what many describe as the Governor’s “otumokpo” (magic touch) a reality that clearly irks Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
The evidence of Governor Otti’s leadership is everywhere:
A massive road infrastructure revolution cutting across all three senatorial zones,
Prompt payment of salaries and pensions, restoring dignity to workers and retirees,
Huge Investments in healthcare, education, and security, and
Strategic empowerment of youths and local enterprises.
Waste Disposal and urban renewal programs in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.a
These feats are not mere slogans; they are verified accomplishments that have earned Abia recognition within and outside the country. According to the 2025 State Performance Index by Phillips Consulting, Abia ranked 1st nationwide in social and economic infrastructure spending per citizen and 2nd in road infrastructure and support for local enterprises, a testament to doing more with less.
It is, therefore, curious and very disappointing that instead of celebrating these achievements, a ranking federal lawmaker like Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has chosen to peddle half-truths and misleading economic narratives for political advantage. Abia’s new governance model is not built on propaganda but on performance; not on rhetoric but on results.
Consequently, fighting Dr. Alex Otti, a man who commands l huge political following and support is tantamount to fighting Ndi Abia themselves, the very people Ben Kalu claims to represent and fight for. The Deputy Speaker has, indeed, stirred the proverbial hornets’ nest, and if he fails to retrace his steps, he risks being blown into political irrelevance both in Bende LGA and across Abia State.
Contrary to Kalu’s insinuations that the Otti administration does not acknowledge the Federal Government’s support, we have always shown gratitude where and when due. What we will not do is surrender facts to flattery or exchange truth for politics.
Abia has found a new rhythm under Governor Alex Otti that is built on vision ,integrity and accountability. Those who cannot align with this new order must learn to adjust their politics to truth, not try to bend the truth to their politics.
At this point,the irreducible minimum is for Ben Kalu to go and apologize to Governor Alex Otti and Ndi Abian for his political chicanery and immediately stop all manner of ill- tempered vituperations and false narratives about governance in the state. The people of Abia are discerning and have moved beyond beyond deceptive politics ; they stand firmly behind a leader who delivers results.
Since Ben Kalu has declared himself the face of opposition in Abia state,it will serve him better and indeed cheaper to criticize with facts and truth in order to reclaim what is left of his sullied credibility.
Prince Okey Kanu is the
Hon Commissioner for information Abia State
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