The governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has dismissed a petition accusing him of mismanaging over ₦54 billion meant for education projects.

Naijaonpoint understands that a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Eze Chikamnayo, had petitioned anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over the education funds.

Chikamnayo, who is also the convener of the Abians Best Interest Association, said at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that Otti must provide evidence of the 51 “smart schools” allegedly funded with the monies withdrawn from the state treasury between 2023 and 2025.

He alleged, “From June 2023 to December 2023, Governor Otti purportedly spent ₦6bn in public schools. From January 2024 to December 2024, ₦58bn was also reported by Governor Otti as monies purportedly spent on repairs of public schools.

“From January 2025 to June 2025, another N14bn was again reported by Mr Alex Otti as monies spent yet on this same public school. Also note that the sum of N8bn has been provided from the UBEC Abuja in 2025 for repairs of public schools (after provision of N4bn counterpart fund by the state).”

Chikamnayo continued, “The failure and or refusal to publish the list, location, contractors and pictures of the purported 51 public school projects for which over ₦54bn has been spent between the first and fourth quarter of 2024 is also indicative of systemic corruption, impunity, lack of transparency and accountability in governance.

“We engage the Abia State Government through our association in ensuring that the alleged diversion of the over ₦54bn education funds by the Abia State Government is halted in collaboration with Nigerian anti-corruption bodies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Finance, World Bank, Transparency International and other relevant institutions.

He accused the Otti administration of “systemic corruption, impunity, lack of transparency and accountability,” adding that his group had petitioned the EFCC, ICPC, the National Assembly, the World Bank, Transparency International and other international watchdogs for urgent intervention.

However, reacting in an interview with Punch, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, said the allegations were politically motivated and unfounded.

“They are merely spreading falsehood. The Otti-led administration has been very transparent with the people of Abia. The schools are visible to everyone. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Alex Otti, the Abia State Government is building new schools, while also renovating and equipping existing ones. Therefore, anything these individuals say or do should not be taken seriously,” he said.

Ukoha added that the governor remained focused on his agenda to transform education in the state and would not be distracted by opposition figures.