Slap-bang Governance Clash: John Okiyi Kalu Slams Governor Alex Otti for Propaganda over Substance
Government Official Otti Lacks Substance, Excessive in Propaganda - Asserts Okiyi Kalu
In a heated exchange, John Okiyi Kalu, the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Abia State, has taken Governor Alex Otti to task for favoring publicity stunts over practical governance.
According to our website, Kalu's comments came in response to Governor Otti's recent interview, during which he questioned the financial state of affairs left by the previous administration under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Speaking to Arise News, Kalu dismissed Otti's claims, arguing that Ikpeazu left a cache of funds and assets for the incoming administration, including ₦4 billion in cash and near-cash assets.
"Listen up, Alex Otti, KPMG reports commissioned by your administration are just process review documents that state over ₦4 billion in cash was left for you. There were near-cash instructions too," Kalu said.
"For instance, Okezie Ikpeazu's administration also won N24 billion stamp duties, we also left other assets because he likes talking about liabilities and wasn't quite pressed. If you've jumped into the public arena to discuss liabilities, he should also be discussing assets," he added.
Kalu also accused Governor Otti of lacking a profound understanding of state finances and project planning.
"Thanks for that interview, as it shed some light on some things. For the first time, I saw a Governor of a state who couldn't speak about the monthly state's Income Generated [IGR]. Well, Otti, what do you call that? Cluelessness?" he stated.
"I saw a Governor for the first time who launched an airport project and didn't have a clue about the costs for the people of the state or what the federal government was investing in that project, even though there was a budget for that project. That speaks volumes about who Dr. Alex Otti is, a man dominated by propaganda and devoid of substance," Kalu continued.
Discussing the unfinished Government House, Kalu conceded that it was indeed an incomplete building but highlighted the achievements of the Ikpeazu administration, such as building hospitals, constructing 213 roads, installing street lights, and even setting up surveillance cameras across the state.
"As it stood, there weren't any decent roads. All the good roads were built by Ikpeazu, schools were established, streetlights were erected, and cameras were installed," Kalu concluded.
*Interesting Delvings**
- APC's Stealthy Strategy for Abia in 2027: Unity and Kalu's Appeal - APC's ambitions for Abia State in 2027 are heating up, with Kalu urging unity.
- Political Shuffles: Defection Plans Paused as Opposition Considers a Move to the APC - Political heavyweights like Mbah, Adeleke, and Alex Otti are reconsidering their moves away from the APC.
- Nationwide Insecurity: Anglican Bishop Ibeabuchi Sounds the Alarm - Bishop Ibeabuchi raises concerns about the ever-escalating insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
- LP Chaos: Abure Strikes Back at Otti - The Labor Party's Abure fires back at Governor Otti amidst the ongoing feud within the party.
- LP Disciplinary Committee Set for Otti Probe - The Labor Party sets up a disciplinary committee to probe Governor Otti in the midst of the ongoing LP crisis.
- Malaysia and Abia Share Palm Kernel History: Otti's Revelation - Governor Otti sheds light on the historical relationship between Malaysia and Umuahia in regards to palm kernel exports.
- John Okiyi Kalu, a former Commissioner in Abia State, has been critical of Governor Alex Otti, accusing him of favoring publicity stunts over practical governance as they both belong to different political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) respectively.
- Governing the state has also become a topic of debate in Nigeria's policy-and-legislation and general-news arena, with Kalu admonishing Otti for lacking a profound understanding of state finances and project planning.
- Amidst political tensions, the APC is reportedly reconsidering their defection plans, with political heavyweights like Mbah, Adeleke, and Alex Otti being mentioned in discussions related to the 2027 Abia State election strategy.
