.........as Otti's absence from the discourse surrounding Kanu's conviction raises critical questions In the heart of Nigeria's Southeast, the political landscape is often shaped by the voices of its leaders and the scrutiny of its media. Recently, the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has sparked a flurry of questions from journalists and media personnel in Abia State. They probe, they question, and they dig for answers from Southeast governors, seeking clarity on a matter that has stirred deep emotions and political tensions. Yet, amidst this fervor, a glaring omission stands out: the silence of Abia State's own governor, Alex Otti. As the governor of Kanu's home state, Otti bears a unique responsibility. He is not just a political figure; he is a representative of the people, tasked with advocating for their rights and welfare. In moments of crisis, such as the conviction of a prominent citizen, on...

...........𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒆𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒔𝒌 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 As we step into November 2025, the people of Abia are left grappling with a pressing question: Where are the projects? The state government recently boasted about its financial allocations, claiming to have spent ₦64 billion on research, ₦12.3 billion on motorcycles, ₦80.5 billion on smart schools, and ₦7.9 billion on a recreational facility. Yet, as citizens traverse the landscape of Abia, they find little to substantiate these staggering figures. The promised smart schools remain elusive, the outcomes of the purported research are nowhere to be found, and the recreational facilities seem to exist solely in the realm of bureaucratic paperwork. This lack of tangible results raises serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of the current administration. The people of Abia ...

..........𝒂𝒔 𝑹𝒕 𝑯𝒐𝒏 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑲𝒂𝒍𝒖 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒃𝒖'𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 In the complex landscape of Nigerian politics, the rivalry between Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and President Bola Tinubu has become increasingly pronounced.  The ongoing tensions, often described as a proxy war, have raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among political observers and citizens alike.  The governor's camp has been vocal in its criticism of the president, leading to questions about the motivations behind these attacks and the implications for the political future of Abia State. At the heart of this political strife is the growing influence of Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who has been actively promoting President Tinubu's initiatives in Abia State.  Kalu's efforts to highlight the president's projects have not only garnered attention but have also positione...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑶𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒘𝒂 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 In a vibrant display of political enthusiasm and community spirit, the citizens of Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) in Abia State turned out in droves to welcome the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR. The occasion marked the inauguration of the Obingwa chapter of the Renewed Hope Partners, a movement aimed at galvanizing support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region. As the sun rose over Obingwa, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Supporters adorned in APC colors filled the streets, chanting slogans and waving banners that expressed their unwavering support for both Rt. Hon. Kalu and President Tinubu. The massive turnout was a testament to the deep-rooted affection the people of Abia State have for thei...

............𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝑷𝑪 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 On Saturday November 8th, the vibrant communities of Ugwunagbo and Osisioma Local Government Areas (LGA) in Abia State were alive with excitement as the Renewed Hope Partners Initiative was officially inaugurated.  The event drew a massive crowd of enthusiastic citizens, all eager to welcome the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who played a pivotal role in the inauguration of the local chapter of this initiative. The atmosphere was electric as residents from both Ugwunagbo and Osisioma LGA gathered in large numbers, showcasing their unwavering support for Rt. Hon. Kalu and the vision of the Renewed Hope Partners Initiative.  The initiative, which aims to foster community development and enhance the socio-economic landscape of Abia State, has resonated deeply with the people, who see it as a beacon ...

............𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒙 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 The atmosphere in Ukwa West Local Government Area was electric as residents gathered in large numbers to welcome Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the much-anticipated inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners initiative Ukwa west chapter.  The event, marked a significant moment for the LGA, as it aims to foster development and empowerment among the people of Ukwa West. As the Deputy Speaker arrived, the streets were lined with enthusiastic supporters, waving banners and chanting slogans in support of the initiative.  The crowd, which was nothing short of enormous, reflected the palpable excitement and hope that the Renewed Hope Partners program has generated among the residents.  Families, youth groups, and community leaders came together, un...

...........as the hired crowd grumbled about the paltry sum of two thousand naira they received to fill the venue  In a striking display of political maneuvering, some Internally Displaced Politicians (IDPs) in Abia State hosted Governor Dr. Alex Otti at Enyimba Stadium in Aba.  However, the event was marked by a notable absence of public enthusiasm, as the stadium remained half-empty, raising questions about the current political climate in the region. The gathering was organized under the guise of being representatives of the old Bende stakeholders, a group that traditionally holds significant influence in the political landscape of Abia State.  However, the choice of venue—Aba instead of Bende—has sparked speculation and concern among political observers.  The decision to host the governor in a location outside of Bende could suggest a disconnect between the governor and the traditional power brokers of the area. The sparse attendance at the event is t...

............ as the hopes of Bendelites materializes into tangible reality  In a remarkable turn of events, the people of Bende are on the cusp of a transformative change. For years, this vibrant community has endured the challenges of living in darkness, deprived of a basic necessity that many take for granted: electricity. However, hope has arrived in the form of a solar farm spearheaded by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu. This initiative promises to illuminate Bende, bringing with it not just light, but a renewed sense of hope and progress. For too long, the residents of Bende have prayed for change, voiced their concerns to the government, and held onto the hope that one day, their plight would be addressed. Now, that hope is materializing into a tangible reality. The solar farm is not a mere rumor or a political ploy; it is a genuine project that stands to change lives for generations to come. E...

.......... as we strive towards equitable distribution of resources and political power   In a significant development for the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, has successfully leveraged his influence to advocate for the creation of an additional state in the region. This landmark decision comes as part of the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review, which has unanimously approved the proposal during a recent retreat held in Lagos. Currently, the South-East is the only geopolitical zone in Nigeria with five states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. Following the deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Hon Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State). The approval for an additional state will bring the total number of states in the South-East to six, aligning ...

......... as the people of Abia state continue to demand for accountability and transparency in managing the states resources   In the political arena of Abia State, the emergence of Governor Alex Otti was met with a wave of optimism and hope.  A self-identified technocrat, Otti campaigned on the promise of transformative change, vowing to break away from the entrenched practices of previous administrations.  However, as his tenure progresses, many citizens are left questioning whether he is genuinely committed to this vision or simply perpetuating the same old patterns that have long plagued governance in the state. A recent event has brought this concern to the forefront: the extravagant flag-off of a road construction project.  This occasion was marked by a lavish display, complete with drums, red carpets, and a significant expenditure of state funds—reportedly hundreds of millions of naira.  Such a spectacle raises eyebrows, especially considerin...

...........𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆  𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 Abia State has a diverse revenue structure that includes federal allocations, local government distributions, derivation funds from oil production, and internally generated revenue (IGR). Federal Allocations Abia State receives a monthly allocation of approximately *₦15.6 billion* from the Federal Government. This allocation is crucial for funding various state projects, infrastructure development, and public services. It is important to note that this amount is distinct from the funds allocated to local government areas (LGAs) within the state. Local Government Allocations For the first half of 2025, the local governments in Abia State shared a total of approximately *₦45.79 billion*. This allocation is supposed to be distributed among the 17 LGAs in the state, p...

.........𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑶𝒕𝒕𝒊 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 When it comes to the growth and development of a state, having reliable and well-maintained infrastructure is crucial. And yet, the current state of Ehi Road by Adazi ABA in Abia state is far from reliable or well-maintained. Just a few months ago, this road was proudly commissioned by Abia state governor Alex Otti, with much pomp and fanfare. However, today, the reality is a far cry from the grand promises that were made. The road has completely deteriorated, leaving the citizens of Abia state angry and disappointed with the substandard infrastructure provided by their governor. It is no secret that Abia state receives a substantial amount of monthly allocation from the federal government. With these funds, the people of Abia state expect to see qualit...