Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed the claim by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, that the state receives between ₦38 billion and ₦40 billion monthly as allocation from the Federation Account.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti clarified that Abia’s total monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), including funds for Local Governments, stands at ₦15.625 billion.
Kalu had reportedly made the claim while addressing supporters at an Independence Day anniversary event in Umuahia, where he compared the current administration’s revenue with that of previous governments.
Describing the figures quoted by the Deputy Speaker as inaccurate and misleading, Otti said such statements could create confusion if circulated without verification.
According to the statement titled “Governance in Abia: Setting the Records Straight,” Otti explained that Abia’s 2025 year-to-date FAAC allocation for the first eight months, including local governments, stood at ₦125 billion. “If the figure of ₦38 billion monthly were correct, it would have amounted to about ₦304 billion within the same period,” the statement noted.
The governor further explained that despite exchange rate fluctuations from ₦460 to the dollar in 2023 to about ₦1,500 currently, his administration has managed state finances prudently to fund projects and ensure regular payment of workers’ salaries.
He added that while the depreciation of the naira and inflation have increased the nominal value of allocations, their real value has declined due to rising costs of materials and imports.
Otti also highlighted that his administration increased the minimum wage for state workers from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 and expanded the state’s workforce through the recruitment of over 5,000 teachers and additional healthcare personnel.
“Prior to 2023, the number of civil servants in Abia stood at about 31,000. Today, the verified number exceeds 67,000, excluding newly recruited teachers,” the statement added.
Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and inclusive governance, urging political leaders to base public commentary on verified facts.
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