Barrister Eze Chikamnayo, a public affairs analyst and convener of Abia’s Best Interest Association, has openly challenged Abia State Governor Alex Otti to provide a comprehensive breakdown of how the N54 billion allocated for public school renovations in the 2024 fiscal year is being utilised. His demand comes in the wake of revelations that the state’s Ministry of Education, led by Commissioner Dr. Uche Eme, had withdrawn N14 billion in 2023 for the same purpose, yet the conditions of many schools remain deplorable.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Chikamnayo expressed deep concern over what he described as “glaring discrepancies” between the funds approved for school renovations and the reality on the ground. He cited specific local government areas where public schools still operate under dilapidated roofs, lack basic amenities, and have overcrowded classrooms, despite huge sums being earmarked for infrastructural upgrades.
“The future of our children is at stake, and no government should be allowed to mortgage it under the guise of inflated or questionable expenditure,” Chikamnayo declared. According to him, the magnitude of the allocations demands that every kobo be accounted for, particularly in a state where education forms the foundation for social and economic mobility.
Chikamnayo further alleged that Abia State’s financial records include several questionable budgetary provisions. These, he claimed, comprise N7.28 billion for Research and Development, N6.5 billion for recreational facilities, N4 billion for agricultural seedlings, N3 billion for capacity building, N18 billion for security votes, and over N300 billion in local government allocations. He argued that many of these projects either do not exist or lack tangible evidence of execution.
According to Chikamnayo, the Otti administration’s capacity to access such unprecedented funds was largely facilitated by President Bola Tinubu’s reform policies, which increased federal allocations to states. He stressed that the reforms, which boosted Abia’s revenue inflows beyond N1 trillion, place a greater responsibility on the state government to ensure transparency and prudent spending.
“The people of Abia deserve more than vague press releases or political rhetoric; they deserve hard evidence,” Chikamnayo said, urging independent audits of the state’s financial transactions. He also called for legislative oversight from the Abia State House of Assembly to prevent misappropriation and enforce accountability in governance.
The public analyst did not mince words in describing the implications of the alleged financial mismanagement. He noted that the continued neglect of educational infrastructure could worsen literacy gaps, push more children out of school, and entrench cycles of poverty in Abia State. “When schools fail, communities fail, and the future of the state is compromised,” he warned.
Chikamnayo appealed to citizens, civic groups, and the media to unite in demanding explanations from the government. “Abia State citizens everywhere must wake up and ask questions. This is our collective duty as stakeholders in the state’s progress,” he insisted. His statement was a rallying call for civic activism and public participation in governance.
The issue has since gained traction across social media platforms, with many residents sharing images and videos of poorly maintained school buildings, broken furniture, and children learning under trees. The visual evidence has further amplified calls for Governor Otti to address the allegations directly and transparently.
Political commentators have also weighed in, noting that this is a crucial test for Otti’s administration, which came into power on a campaign of transparency, accountability, and good governance. They warn that failure to provide satisfactory answers could erode public trust and damage the governor’s political standing ahead of the next election cycle.
Some critics argue that the government’s silence, as of the time this report was filed at 4:50 PM WAT on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, may worsen public perception. They stress that prompt and detailed clarification is the best way to restore confidence and defuse suspicions of corruption or mismanagement.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations in Abia State are reportedly planning to petition anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to investigate the handling of the N54 billion budget and other flagged expenditures.
As the controversy intensifies, all eyes are on Governor Alex Otti to see whether he will address the allegations head-on or maintain his current silence. For now, the fate of Abia’s public schools and the transparency of its governance hangs in the balance.
