Key points
- Kalu says Abia gets N38b from the federation. He insists the output remains modest.
- He compares Otti’s work with three former Abia governors. He argues they delivered with smaller funds.
- Otti’s supporters tout progress on roads and wages. Kalu says the bar should be higher.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has challenged Governor Alex Otti’s performance in Abia State. He says the results do not match the level of funds now available to the state. Kalu spoke at a political event in Abia. He told the crowd that “what you’ve done so far is insufficient.”
He alleged that the state “is receiving N38b” from the Federal Government. He then said the current output mirrors what came before.
“You’re receiving N38b, yet performing the same work,” Kalu said. He claimed past administrations worked with far less from the centre.
Kalu sets a tougher yardstick for Abia projects
Kalu cited the tenures of Okezie Ikpeazu, Theodore A. Orji, and Orji Uzor Kalu. He said their governments had smaller monthly inflows yet delivered comparable projects. He did not break down figures by month or year. He also did not give a project-by-project audit on stage.
The Deputy Speaker framed his case as a call for higher standards. “What you’ve done so far is insufficient,” he repeated to supporters. His comments arrive amid ongoing debate on state spending. Citizens track roads, salaries, and health projects across Abia.
Context and reactions so far
The N38b claim drew fresh attention to Abuja allocations. Abia’s receipts vary by factors like oil prices and FAAC formulas. Supporters of Otti say the administration has raised service levels. They often cite prompt wages and visible road works in key towns.
Critics dispute the scale and pace of delivery. They say new projects should exceed legacy benchmarks by a wide margin. Kalu’s remarks add fuel to that wider policy debate. Calls for transparent data on receipts and results will likely grow.
Across Nigeria, officeholders face rising scrutiny on value for money. Recent stories show similar disputes in other states, including a Lagos environment commissioner’s denial case. National attention also followed Uche Nnaji’s degree controversy.
For Abia, the argument now centres on proof and pace. Kalu wants more measurable results from bigger inflows
