UMUAHIA – A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Dr. Sam Anya, also known as Akaekpuchionwa, says increased budgetary allocations to states have enabled them to pay salaries and tackle developmental challenges.
Anya, a former Commissioner for Special Duties in Rivers State, said on Sunday at the APC Secretariat in Umuahia that Abia, which earned around ₦4 billion monthly under the previous administration, now receives between ₦25 billion and ₦35 billion monthly under President Bola Tinubu.
He attributed the improved financial standing of the state and ongoing projects to the policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, and said the only way Abians can reciprocate is to vote for APC in the 2027 elections.
“The good works that you are seeing in Abia today is the handiwork of President Bola Tinubu and nobody can deny that fact,” he said.
“If the initiatives do not trickle down to the people, it means you have Governor Alex Otti to hold responsible. He has empowered states to function, pay salaries including minimum wage, gratuities among others.”
“Abia was getting ₦4billion during previous administration, but now the state is collecting ₦25 to 35billion a month plus other things accruing to the state,” Anya said. “So we should expect more, salaries to be paid, more stomach infrastructure.”
On the political strength of the President in the state, Anya said “Bola’s wave is 100% in Abia,” citing roads, smart schools and other initiatives implemented after subsidy removal.
“If not for subsidy removal where will Alex Otti get the money from, will he get his money from his pocket?” he asked. “There are people that would have said, remove the subsidy, keep it in FG coffers, and don’t give it to the state. Will you kill him?”
Anya also disclosed that the party is working for the emergence of all APC candidates in the coming election and has established a campaign office in Ohafia.
“If you come to Ohafia we have a very wonderful facility, a duplex with state of the art facility. We are doing it for Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential campaign office in Ohafia,” he said. “This is where we are going to mobilise the people of Abia North, Arochukwu, Ohafia.”
He further thanked President Tinubu for making the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the leader of the party in Abia.
“We need to thank President Bola Tinubu for making the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu the leader of the party in Abia, we are very proud of him and what he has achieved, ours is to continue saying thank you Mr President,” Anya said.
