Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed allegations by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eze Chikamnayo, accusing his administration of mismanaging over N54 billion earmarked for education projects in the state.
Chikamnayo, who also leads the Abians Best Interest Association, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the governor must account for the 51 “smart schools” allegedly funded with withdrawals from the state treasury between 2023 and 2025.
He claimed that Otti’s administration reported spending N6 billion on public schools between June and December 2023, N58 billion throughout 2024, and another N14 billion in the first half of 2025.
He further alleged that an additional N8 billion was released by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) this year, following the state’s payment of N4 billion counterpart funding.
Despite these allocations, Chikamnayo insisted that more than 95 per cent of schools in Abia remain in poor condition.
He accused the government of “systemic corruption, impunity, lack of transparency and accountability,” and said his group had petitioned the EFCC, ICPC, National Assembly, World Bank, Transparency International and other bodies for urgent intervention.
Responding, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, described the claims as false and politically motivated.
He said the administration had been transparent in its handling of education funds and was making visible investments in new school buildings, renovations, and equipment.
“The Otti-led administration has been very transparent with the people of Abia. The schools are visible to everyone.
These individuals are simply spreading falsehood and should not be taken seriously,” Ukoha said.
He added that Governor Otti remained focused on transforming the education sector and would not be distracted by what he called opposition propaganda.
Chikamnayo, however, maintained that his campaign was not partisan but aimed at protecting the future of Abia children.
He insisted that fact-finding visits showed most schools still lacked basic facilities, and demanded that the government publish details of the 51 projects it claimed to have executed.
According to him, corruption in the sector robs future generations of opportunities and dignity. “We have written to both local and international bodies to ensure the diversion of education funds is stopped and accountability is enforced,” he said.