...........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...

............𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒋𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒃𝒂 The true measure of a leader lies not in the applause of a crowd but in the tangible impact they have on the lives of their constituents. Unfortunately, the current administration in Abia State, under Governor Alex Otti, seems to have lost sight of this fundamental principle. Instead of focusing on meaningful projects that benefit the people, the governor appears more concerned with orchestrating public receptions and garnering accolades, even three years into his tenure. While governors in other states are commissioning legacy projects that will stand the test of time, Otti is busy hosting events that often rely on paid crowds. This practice raises serious questions about the authenticity of the support he claims to have and, more importantly, about the priorities of his administration. Governance is not about gathering and paying fo...

..........𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒃𝒊𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 In a disheartening development, a section of the Ekeoha Shopping Complex in Aba has collapsed, raising serious concerns about the quality of construction and oversight under the administration of Governor Alex Otti. The incident, attributed to the use of substandard materials, has not only endangered lives but also highlighted the pervasive issues of corruption and mismanagement within the Abia State government. The Ekeoha Shopping Complex, a crucial commercial center in Aba, was undergoing reconstruction as part of Governor Otti's efforts to revitalize the city’s infrastructure. However, the collapse has cast a shadow over these initiatives, revealing a troubling pattern of negligence and a lack of accountability. Eyewitnesses reported chaos as the structure crumbled, with...

...........𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝑶𝒕𝒕𝒊 𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 In recent weeks, Abia State has been rocked by a shocking incident that has brought the issue of corruption within its government to the forefront. The violent altercation among members of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the Abia State House of Assembly, which culminated in the Majority Leader, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu, attacking his colleague, Hon. Akachukwu Ucheonye, with a beer bottle, is emblematic of a deeper malaise afflicting the state's political landscape. The Incident: A Fight Over Cash Gifts (governor's bribe) The altercation occurred during a meeting at the Aba residence of Hon. Fyne Ahuama, where LP lawmakers gathered to discuss the distribution of funds allegedly disbursed by Governor Alex Otti. The governor had reportedly sent an undisclosed sum of money as a to...

.............𝑎𝑠 𝑅𝑡 𝐻𝑜𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐾𝑎𝑙𝑢 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑁𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑑 Learning is a lifelong journey that transcends age, occupation, and geography.  It is a vital component of personal and societal development, enabling individuals to adapt to ever-changing environments.  One notable example of this pursuit of knowledge is the recent experience of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria.  His engagement at the Harvard Kennedy School reflects the importance of dialogue in the spheres of leadership and governance systems, specifically in relation to Nigeria's future. At Harvard, Rt Hon Kalu participated in conversations that explored the theory and practice of governance.  This experience is particularly significant in the context of the challenges facing Nigeria today, including economic instability, security issues, and governance failures....