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Former Abia Commissioner Counters Gov Otti, Claims Ikpeazu Left N3.49bn Credit Balance
Former Abia Commissioner Counters Gov Otti, Claims Ikpeazu Left N3.49bn Credit Balance
In a rebuttal to claims made by the current administration, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, asserted that the immediate past governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, left a net credit balance of N3.49 billion for the incoming government led by Governor Alex Otti. This claim comes in response to Governor Otti’s statements regarding the financial state of Abia upon his assumption of office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Okiyi-Kalu, the details of this financial status were verified by the Abia Forensic Audit report conducted by Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), a reputable multinational professional services network. The former commissioner’s statement, issued on Tuesday, aims to clarify the financial legacy of the Ikpeazu administration amidst allegations from the current government.
Governor Otti had previously claimed on April 6, 2024, that he inherited a debt of N192.2 billion from his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu. He indicated that managing these debts had been challenging, but necessary actions were being taken to handle the financial burden effectively.
Okiyi-Kalu, however, countered these claims by emphasizing that Ikpeazu left the new administration with more financial resources than reported. He noted that apart from the cash balance, the state also holds near-cash assets, including a 3.5% stake in the Aba Independent Power Project (IPP) Geometric, which is currently valued at N80 billion.
He further highlighted that the N3.48 billion credit balance could have been utilized to cover two months of salaries for state workers, challenging the current administration’s portrayal of the financial situation.
“So far, Otti’s government has spent N9 billion on a subhead called ‘research and development.’ What is he researching and developing in Abia State? Check the quarterly financial reports published by his administration, if in doubt,” Okiyi-Kalu stated, urging scrutiny of the current administration’s expenditure.
The former commissioner also accused Governor Otti of frequently misrepresenting facts, citing a specific instance where Otti’s response to allegations of N10 billion in missing funds shifted the narrative from payments to road contractors to money being distributed across multiple accounts.
Okiyi-Kalu’s remarks underscore a contentious financial debate in Abia State, reflecting the broader political and administrative challenges faced by the new administration. The ongoing dispute highlights the need for transparent financial governance to build trust among the state’s stakeholders.
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“A Grievous Mistake!” APC Chieftain Issues Blistering Warning To Tinubu Over Shettima’s Future!.
Jonathan Vatsa, an APC chieftain in Niger State, has publicly criticized the decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election. Vatsa, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State, issued a statement in Minna on Saturday, warning that the move could result in significant future challenges for the party.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
His main points include:
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Political Insensitivity: Vatsa characterized the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as “a direct insult” to the Christian community and labeled it a “grievous mistake” that lacks political sensitivity.
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Shifting Circumstances: He argued that the political conditions that may have justified a same-faith ticket in 2023 no longer apply to the upcoming 2027 election.
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Electoral Risk: The chieftain cautioned that the APC will face difficulties securing Christian votes, particularly if rival parties choose to field Christian candidates.
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Concerns Over Equity: He emphasized that his stance is rooted in a desire for “equity, justice and fairness,” rather than animosity toward the Vice President or the Muslim community.
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Security Concerns: Vatsa noted that given the current climate regarding the safety of Christians, a repeat of the same-faith arrangement is expected to cause further feelings of insecurity within the Christian community.
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“Stop The Dirty Politics!” Femi Branch Fires Back Over Treatment Of Rescued Oyo Pupils And Teachers!.
Nollywood actor Femi Branch has called on Nigerian politicians to cease politicizing the recent abduction and subsequent rescue of pupils and teachers in Oyo State. His appeal follows comments made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who noted that the kidnapping occurred only hours after he officially declared his intention to run for president, implying a connection to political maneuvering.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In response to these developments, Branch urged politicians to exclude children from their political conflicts, emphasizing the following:
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Impact on Children: Branch highlighted that Nigerian children are already facing significant hardships due to poor educational quality and should not be subjected to “dirty politics”.
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Trauma of Victims: He noted that the victims, who were held in the bush for 56 days, are likely traumatized and require proper care rather than becoming subjects of political debate.
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Call for Restraint: While clarifying that he was not calling out any specific individual, Branch appealed to all politicians to demonstrate compassion and keep innocent children out of what he described as political “madness”.
Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has leveled accusations of animosity toward Nigerians against African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart Peter Obi. Bwala’s critique followed incidents regarding airport parking rules and a lack of public response to recent security developments.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Critique of Conduct: Bwala questioned how these politicians claim a desire to improve the nation when he believes their behavior demonstrates a hatred for both Nigeria and its people.
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Allegations against Peter Obi: Bwala accused Obi of violating airport traffic regulations, claiming his car was clamped and alleging that Obi responded with untruths about threats to his life.
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Allegations against Atiku Abubakar: Bwala criticized Atiku for a perceived lack of empathy and solidarity, noting that while the politician is often quick to comment when the country faces difficulties, he remained silent following the rescue of abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State.
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Accusations of Exploitation: According to Bwala, both men prefer to exploit people’s misfortunes for political gain rather than respecting human dignity and freedom.
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Summary Assessment: Bwala concluded his remarks by stating that “desperate people do desperate things”.
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