January 9 Referendum: Former Abia Leaders Unite Against Otti’s Social Media Record
By Dr David Okorie -The meeting of former political appointees who served under the Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) administration, held on January 9 at the residence of former Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji, has been described by participants as a referendum on the performance of the Alex Otti administration.
According to the leaders and stakeholders present, the gathering reached a consensus that Governor Otti has failed to provide clarity on the whereabouts and application of funds reportedly received by Abia State since May 2023. They questioned what they described as a lack of transparent accounting for an estimated ₦1.4 trillion accrued within the period under review.
Data cited by the meeting, which participants said were sourced from the Abia State Government website (abiastate.gov.ng), reportedly indicate that the state has received about ₦140 billion in revenue, out of which approximately ₦120 billion was expended on salaries and pensions. The figures referenced, they noted, do not include allocations accruing to the local governments.
Beyond the financial concerns, the meeting reportedly dismissed what it described as the “social media image” of the Otti administration, arguing that online acclaim has not translated into commensurate, visible development across the state. Some speakers likened the situation to the era when Diamond Bank won industry awards despite underlying financial weaknesses, insisting that media visibility should not be mistaken for performance.
Participants further argued that the convergence of past leaders and appointees was driven by deep dissatisfaction with governance outcomes, especially when compared to the scale of resources available to the state within the prevailing economic climate.
They also reacted to claims by the governor’s team that the meeting was convened in response to an alleged cancellation of pension payments to former governors. Those at the meeting described the allegation as a diversion, insisting that the Otti administration has been challenged for over a week to provide documentary evidence showing that such pensions were paid, a challenge they say remains unanswered.
Drawing comparisons with other states, the meeting noted that in Rivers and Imo states, former governors like Peter Odili and Achike Udenwa have faded from public memory due to the pace and visibility of development under subsequent administrations. Similarly, they argued that despite past achievements in Enugu State, the name of former Governor Sullivan Chime is now scarcely mentioned, owing to evolving governance trajectories.
In conclusion, the gathering maintained that the coming together of Abia’s past leaders is a clear signal of widespread disappointment, insisting that it reflects a collective verdict that the Otti administration has, so far, fallen short of expectations.
