Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has accused his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, of fraudulently commissioning an uncompleted government building shortly before leaving office in May 2023.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Otti described the act as “deceptive” and symptomatic of the “rot” his administration inherited. He said, “My predecessor commissioned an uncompleted building and called it a Government House. The ground floor was completed and fitted with Italian furniture, but the upper floors weren’t even plastered. That’s fraud.”
Despite the alleged infractions, Otti ruled out launching a full-scale probe. “I have too much work to do. Probing is a waste of my time,” he said. However, he did confirm a KPMG audit found ₦10 billion was withdrawn for a non-existent airport project, saying the state is now demanding the money back.
Inherited ₦192 Billion Debt, Yet Borrowed Nothing – Otti
Governor Otti claimed he inherited ₦192 billion in debt—much higher than the ₦138 billion officially recorded by the Debt Management Office (DMO)—which excluded unpaid salaries, pensions, and debts owed by parastatals.
“We’ve cleared salary and pension arrears. We paid about ₦10 billion to pensioners, many of whom were owed between 45 to 56 months,” Otti said, noting that his administration has not borrowed “a single kobo” since taking office.
As of December 2024, Otti claimed Abia’s debt profile had dropped significantly. “We’re running very well. Don’t worry about how we find the money—that’s my area of expertise,” he added confidently.
Healthcare: Teaching Hospital Accreditation Restored
Otti also addressed concerns over healthcare infrastructure, confirming that the controversial multi-specialist hospital in Aba was not abandoned but converted into a general hospital. He justified the decision, citing the proximity of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, which now functions as the state’s primary specialist facility.
The governor revealed that the teaching hospital had lost accreditation in 2021, but under his administration, full accreditation was restored in December 2023. “The registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria was so surprised by the improvements that he thought he was in the wrong place,” Otti said.
Looking ahead, Otti said his goal is to establish a specialist hospital in each senatorial district of the state.
Final Word
Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s focus on the welfare of Abians. “Nobody is more important to me than Abia people and God,” he declared.
