In a bold move that is shaking the education sector in Abia State, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Eze Chikamnayo, has officially dragged Governor Alex Otti before the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The allegations center on the controversial disbursement and utilization of a staggering N54 billion budgeted for public school renovations across the state.
Chikamnayo raised this issue during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting an alarming disconnect between the reported expenditure and the visible realities on the ground. Despite a huge financial allocation by Otti’s administration for the renovation of 51 public schools, there remains no evidence of tangible progress. Visits to numerous schools reveal dilapidated infrastructure, unfenced compounds, and a lack of basic learning tools, painting a grim picture of neglect.
The APC chieftain went further by requesting intervention from multiple oversight bodies, including the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Finance, Transparency International, and the World Bank. He emphasized the opaque nature of the project, citing the administration’s refusal to publish a detailed list of contractors, project locations, and tangible evidence of work done.
“This situation suggests systemic corruption,” Chikamnayo commented, underscoring the state of public education as a critical concern not only for current students but for future generations. He stressed that the failure to deliver on the promised smart school projects undermines both educational development and public trust.
In addition to local anti-graft agencies, the petition has reached international watchdogs such as UNESCO and Amnesty International, calling for urgent intervention and sanctions against any misappropriation. Eze Chikamnayo’s collective efforts aim at ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice, urging citizens and stakeholders to support the demand for clarity in governance.
This controversy unfolds at a time when education funding is critical to nation-building and the development of young minds. The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether the administration under Governor Alex Otti can provide answers to these serious allegations or face further scrutiny from national and global bodies.