Abia Rising Beyond Lies, Blackmail And Distractions

EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD

In recent months, Abians have witnessed a renewed wave of falsehood, outright blackmail and calculated distractions targeted at the person of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, and the New Abia administration. These attacks are deliberately fabricated and sponsored by disgruntled politicians and their agents, displaced treasury looters whose desperation to return Abia to the dark era of waste, corruption and impunity has failed and will continue to fail.

Rejected by Abians at the polls in 2023 and frustrated that their desperate bid to rig the elections collapsed, these enemies of progress vowed to make Abia ungovernable. Their stock in trade has since been campaigns of calumny, character assassination, fabricated figures and twisted narratives all designed to malign the governor and derail the New Abia vision.

Abians know them too well. Their names do not deserve the dignity of mention for their ignoble track records already speak volumes. Their activities have long exposed them as enemies of progress who cannot come to terms with the reality of a people liberated from years of misrule.

One of their most recent fabrications is the baseless claim that forty five billion naira was spent on the construction and reconstruction of schools in 2024. This allegation, like many before it, is false, mischievous and deliberately crafted to misinform the public. The truth is clear: no such money was ever spent. The audited account of Abia State for 2024 clearly captures all expenditures and receipts. What the government has done and openly declared is to prioritize education after decades of decay under the former PDP led administration. Declaring a state of emergency in education was a necessity but even then, spending has been guided strictly by prudence, transparency and accountability.

Governor Otti has publicly clarified what was spent last year and what has been allocated this year. Yet these detractors, driven by envy and bitterness, persist in spreading falsehoods. Their antics, however, are nothing more than the last kicks of a dying horse.

From the very beginning, Governor Otti anticipated such vicious onslaughts. In his inaugural address, he vowed to serve Abians with truth, transparency and accountability and he has remained faithful to that vow. Through cost cutting measures, prudent financial management and zero tolerance for corruption, his administration has saved billions, redirecting these resources into massive infrastructure projects, healthcare, education, agriculture and other socio economic interventions.

These achievements have sparked envy among those who once plundered Abia’s resources. They watch with deep frustration as Governor Otti’s superlative performance and the overwhelming support of Abians pave the way for continuity should he decide to seek a second term. Their bitterness stems from the realization that the people of Abia are united behind their governor and will never allow the state to return to the Egypt of corruption and maladministration.

Today Abia is on the rise. The facts on the ground, the visible transformation in roads, schools, hospitals and communities, speak louder than the lies of detractors. Abians who prayed and fasted for genuine change now testify that God has answered with a leader who is focused, courageous and committed to rebuilding the state.

To the purveyors of falsehood, blackmail and distractions, let it be known that Abians have moved on. Their attempts to derail Governor Otti will not succeed. The governor remains unwavering with his eyes firmly fixed on the vision of a New Abia built on truth, accountability and shared prosperity.

No amount of blackmail, lies or social media attacks will take Abia back to Egypt. The train of progress has left the station and Abians are riding with Governor Alex Otti into a brighter future. The message is clear: facts have defeated falsehood, truth has crushed lies and progress has silenced blackmail. Abia is rising, unstoppable.

– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.