₦54bn School Renovation Row: Show Evidence, Not Wordplay — Ikonne Tells Gov. Otti

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Paul Ikonne, has challenged Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to provide concrete evidence regarding the controversial ₦54 billion reportedly spent on school renovations in the state.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ujo Justice, Ikonne accused Governor Otti of using “wordplay” to distract from what he termed inconsistencies in the state’s expenditure claims. He demanded that the governor present verifiable details of the schools renovated under the said amount.

Ikonne questioned the credibility of the state’s financial reporting, asking why an administration that claims to work with “seasoned accountants” continues to provide conflicting figures on public spending. “The issue before Abians is clear: where are the renovated schools, and where is the ₦54 billion?” he queried.

Referencing a recent investigation by Sahara Reporters, Ikonne criticized the governor’s attempt to dismiss the ₦54 billion expenditure as a “mistake,” pointing out that official budget performance data shows ₦54.066 billion was spent on school rehabilitation between October and December 2024, while the full-year figure reached ₦58.323 billion. He stressed that if the government insists only ₦2.1 billion was used, it must clarify why state documents reflect otherwise.

Ikonne further noted that the 2024 approved budget allocated ₦64.7 billion for the renovation and remodelling of 51 schools — an average of about ₦1.26 billion per school. “Either the governor is misleading Abians, or he is unaware of what his administration is signing off,” he asserted.

Welcoming the Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), Ikonne said the public deserves a breakdown of how the ₦54 billion was spent, including the names, locations, and scope of work at the schools involved.

“Budgets are estimates; expenditures are facts,” he emphasized. “If Governor Otti disputes the figures, he should publish the list of renovated schools. Abians don’t want excuses — they want evidence.”

Ikonne concluded by calling on the governor to uphold transparency and accountability, reminding him that true leadership is based on facts, not propaganda.