A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state has raised serious concerns about fiscal transparency in the management of the state's financial resources under Governor Alex Otti's administration.
Call for Financial Accountability
Obinna Oriaku, the former commissioner for finance and budget planning in Abia state, has called for greater openness in how the state government utilises federal allocations and internally generated revenues. In an exclusive statement sent to Legit.ng on Tuesday, November 25, Oriaku emphasised the critical need for clear and verifiable financial disclosures from the Labour Party-led administration.
The APC stalwart highlighted that Nigeria has experienced unprecedented revenue inflow due to policies implemented under President Bola Tinubu's government. This has resulted in record allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to state governments across the country.
Questioning Massive Revenue Figures
According to financial documents, Abia state received a staggering N38 billion in total revenue between April and June 2025, excluding local government allocations. When combined with local government monthly allocations averaging N11 billion, which the state government fully controls, Abia's combined monthly inflow now reaches approximately N49 billion.
These figures, confirmed in reports signed by the State Accountant General and the Commissioner for Finance, have surprised many residents who were unaware of the substantial increase in state revenues. The monthly revenue has surged from roughly N6 billion in 2023 to nearly N49 billion in 2025, representing a significant financial boost for the state.
Red Flags in Expenditure Patterns
Oriaku's statement, titled 'Exposing the N32.7bn Land/Compensation Payments, N85bn School Repairs and Other Questionable Expenditures Under the Alex Otti Administration,' pointed to several concerning spending patterns that require clarification.
The APC chieftain's meticulous review of the state's financial records revealed what he described as serious red flags that demand immediate attention from the state government. He posed critical questions that many Abia citizens are asking: Where is this substantial money going? Why does visible progress not match the increased income? What specific achievements can be directly linked to this unprecedented financial inflow?
Specific Demands for Transparency
Oriaku presented four concrete demands to the state government, urging immediate action to restore public confidence in the management of state resources:
First, he demanded the publication of the complete beneficiary list for the N32.7 billion allocated for land compensation payments.
Second, he called for transparency regarding school projects connected to the N85 billion expenditure on educational infrastructure.
Third, Oriaku requested the disclosure of procurement records for electric buses acquired by the state government.
Fourth, he insisted on the publication of research and development contracts, including details of consultants involved and deliverables achieved.
Broader National Context
The call for transparency in Abia state comes at a time when over N11 trillion has been disbursed to states and local governments through FAAC in the past year. This massive allocation, driven by increased oil revenues and exchange rate adjustments, has placed state governors nationwide under increased scrutiny.
Citizens across Nigeria are becoming more vocal about the need for impactful governance, improved infrastructure, and better service delivery that matches the unprecedented fiscal inflows to state governments.
Oriaku clarified that his message should not be interpreted as a political attack but rather as a challenge to Governor Otti to fulfil his campaign promise of accountability made during the 2023 election campaigns. He asserted that Abia residents are demanding transparency, value, prudence, and integrity in the management of their resources, emphasizing that it is their money, future, and state at stake.
