The All Progressives Congress, APC, Abia chapter has rejected the claim by the Governor Alex Otti-led administration that it built 414 roads since coming to office, describing it as false, exaggerated, and deceptive.
In a statement on Wednesday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Aguoru, the APC said while the Otti administration has rehabilitated some existing roads, often at inflated costs, it rejects the claim that 414 new roads have been built.
“After a thorough investigation, it is obvious these so-called 414 roads exist only on social media propaganda pages and in media briefings, not in the everyday reality of Abians who use the roads daily for business, work, and survival,” the statement read.
The party accused the Otti government of elevating propaganda and falsehood to state policy. “A government that cannot point to verifiable, groundbreaking infrastructure like those seen in neighbouring Imo, Anambra, and Enugu now seeks refuge in inflated figures and media manipulation,” it said.
APC challenged Governor Otti to publish the full list of the 414 roads for independent verification by Abians, including locations, contract sums, and contractors.
The party also said it is embarrassing that a government that has received close to ₦2 trillion from federal allocations and IGR in less than three years cannot point to a single iconic project to match such receipts.
“Beyond patching potholes, re-asphalting old roads, closing manholes, building one motor park, erecting a few bus shelters, and repainting the roofs of existing health centers and government facilities, what has this administration achieved that justifies endless self-glorification? What is Governor Otti celebrating when workers, pensioners, and Abians continue to suffer neglect and hardship?”
APC decried the poor pay for Abia workers, noting that Abia workers are among the least paid in Nigeria despite the state reportedly receiving over ₦30 billion monthly. It questioned how civil servants still earn as low as ₦23,000 while local security operatives earn ₦40,000 monthly.
The party also condemned the alleged spending of over ₦360 million quarterly on maintaining six decorative water fountains while pensioners remain unpaid, gratuities are outstanding, and the ₦70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government has not been fully implemented.
“Governance is not about media optics, hiring skit makers for image laundering, staged commissioning ceremonies, or inflated statistics. Governance is about measurable impact on the lives of ordinary people,” APC said.
It added that under Otti, governance appears to be an exercise in public relations where perception matters more than performance.
“Let Governor Otti publish the complete details of the alleged 414 roads so Abians can judge for themselves whether this administration is delivering development or hawking propaganda. Abians demand transparency, empathy, good governance, and above all, honesty.”
