A pro-good governance group, Abia Good Governance Coalition ( ABGGC) has urged Abia State Governor, Alex Otti to immediately relocate to any of the two Government Houses or its annexe in the State and discontinue conducting government business in his private residence.
ABGGC’s Facilitator, Comrade Maduakolam Okorie who queried the rationale behind Otti’s continued use of his private residence as Government House maintained that Otti’s action flouts constitutional provisions and is actionable.
The oddity in Abia State where the governor has converted his private residence to Government House made the headlines again as President Bola Tinubu at a public outing frowned at the development as unwarranted and uncalled for.
In a short video which has gone viral, President Tinubu maintained that under his watch, State Governments receive enormous allocations, thrice what was received by the past administrations from the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC allocations. Such homongous amount would have enabled any serious minded Governor to either rehabilitate a Government House in disrepair or even construct a brand new Government House.
President Tinubu challenged the Governors to dispute his claim that their FAAC allocations have not trippled beginning from May 29, 2023 when the new administration came on board.
Gov Otti since assumption of office operates from his residence, in a rural community of Umuehim Nvosi, in Isialangwa South LGA. All State government functions including State Executive Council meetings, Security Council meetings, reception for visiting officials whether foreign or local are conducted there. This is in total violation of the laws and rules on state creation that stipulates that the seat of government and business of governance will be conducted at the capital of each state and this is constitutional.
Abia Government has two Government Houses in the State Capital, Umuahia and an annexe in Aba. Previous Governors from 1999 conducted Government businesses in either of the trio. While immediate past Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu operated from both the annex in Aba and main Government House, Umuahia, he also constructed and furnished a brand new Government House in Umuahia before the end of his tenure. Governor Otti has refused to operate from either of them.
Interestingly, the Otti administration recently posted ₦30 billion as the expenditure on the running of the Government House on the State Government official website, which ironically is his private residence. Since then about four large buildings had been erected in his compound to provide office spaces for government officials.
In addition, sources say the cost of running Otti’s private residence as Government House is a big drain on government purse in terms of providing security including maintaining a contingent of Nigerian Army who provides security in the area plus other logistics involved in moving the whole government team to and from Umuahia for meetings and other briefings.
Beyond the hullabaloo, there is panic in the Otti’s administration the remarks by Tinubu came unexpectedly. Otti has through propaganda positioned himself as President Tinubu’s “very good friend and a Lagos boy” who is well connected in the corridors of power, especially in Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet.
However the public admonishment of Otti by President Bola Tinubu raises a troubling question as to the manner a friend talks to a close friend.
All said and done President Tinubu has made a point that he is indeed the Number One citizen of the country and knows the day to day happenings even in opposition party States.
“Oh, I watch the news regularly. I see what is happening, I observe what is happening in Kano, what is happening, Abia, what is happening…… But I try to find time to glance through the newspapers… It is in the news Abia that that the governor is still operating from his private residence….”
In his remarks, President Tinubu asserts authoritatively that the States and LGAs have been adequately funded under his watch: “It is a daunting challenge. The policies are difficult, but there was no way Nigeria would have survived with the burden of fuel subsidies. Today, I can beat my chest and say that each governor here knows that their allocations to the States have tripled. We have enough funding for the local governments.” he said.
Many political watchers are of the opinion that if there was any relationship between President Bola Tinubu and Gov Otti, such relationship may be in limbo if it is not to the political advantage of Tinubu’s 2nd term ambition. Rumours have it that Otti may have been given a subtle warning that ‘Big Brother’ is indeed watching his every move. Definitely the continued status of Abia as opposition State is not in Tinubu’s interest.
Those that know President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political sagacity are sure that the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Abia State with its strong presence will field a strong candidate to challenge the incumbent Governor in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Analysing the political development in Abia, Okorie said: “Those who know Jagaban should understand that the public pronouncement on Otti is a subtle declaration of political war in Abia, come 2027
“It is in Otti’s interest to do the needful and face the act of governance and development rather than his influence peddling and name dropping of having worked for and with the President when in Lagos. Now, Otti wants to gain re-election by painting the picture that the President is his friend which is a sing-song among his kitchen cabinet in Abia. This however is nothing short of foolhardiness.
” We, members of Abia Good Governance Coalition therefore call on Gov. Alex Otti to save Abia from this his conduit pipe”.