Don’t Deny Tinubu Credit For Constructing Omenuko Bridge, Other Projects In Abia, APC Tells Gov Otti
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia has asked the state government not to deny President Bola Tinubu credit for federal government projects executed in the state.
In a statement on Thursday, Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary of the Abia APC, accused the administration of Alex Otti, governor of the state, of misleading residents over the ownership of some infrastructure projects.
Aguoru said the party has observed what it described as a recurring lack of coordination in the state government’s information management.
“The All Progressives Congress in Abia State has observed one unfortunate, embarrassing, and recurring disappointment in the administration of Governor Alex Otti — a glaring lack of coordination in information management,” he said.
He alleged that Ferdinand Ekeoma, spokesperson to the governor, had repeatedly commented on issues without adequate knowledge.
“Time and again, the governor’s spokesman, Ferdinand Ekeoma, steps into the public space to comment on matters about which he appears to possess little or no knowledge,” the APC publicity secretary said.
Aguoru said the controversy followed remarks made by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, during the party’s recent congress.
He said Kalu highlighted federal government projects executed in Abia under Tinubu’s administration.
“Among the projects mentioned were the reconstruction of the Omenuko Bridge and the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road,” he said.
Aguoru said Ekeoma responded by attacking the deputy speaker instead of verifying the claims.
“Rather than seek accurate information or clarification on these projects, Mr Ekeoma chose the unfortunate route of deploying gutter language and uncouth remarks against Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu for simply stating verifiable facts,” he said.
The APC spokesperson said Otti had previously acknowledged that the reconstruction of the Omenuko Bridge is a federal government project.
“For the sake of clarity, even Governor Alex Otti himself acknowledged that the project is a federal government project,” he said.
He said the acknowledgement was made during an inspection tour by David Umahi, minister of Works, on November 1, 2025.
Aguoru said the reconstruction of the Omenuko Bridge was originally awarded to Setraco Construction Company in 2015 and later reviewed in 2023.
He added that the Abia government later wrote to the federal government, seeking approval to undertake the reconstruction with the understanding that the state would be reimbursed.
“The governor formally wrote to President Bola Tinubu through the Ministry of Works requesting approval to undertake the reconstruction, with the understanding that the federal government would reimburse the state,” he said.
Aguoru said a similar arrangement applies to the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road project.
“The 43-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road was originally awarded in 2018, with approximately 19 kilometres already completed,” he said.
“The Abia State government undertook the remaining 27 kilometres largely due to property encroachments along the route.”
He said the state government agreed to handle compensation payments and complete the outstanding section while pursuing reimbursement from the federal government.
Aguoru also listed other federal government road projects currently ongoing in the state.
“These include the Owerrinta–Umuikaa Road dualisation, the Onuimo–Tower Road dualisation, and the Ohafia–Arochukwu Road project,” he said.
He said some of the projects are being executed under a “build and we will pay” arrangement approved by the federal government.
“Under this framework, the projects remain fundamentally federal government projects, as the federal government bears the responsibility for reimbursing the full cost,” he said.
Aguoru questioned why the state government sought federal approval and reimbursement if the projects were solely its initiatives.
“If, as Mr Ekeoma claims, these projects are solely the achievements of the Abia State government, why did the state government seek federal government approval before executing them, and why has it formally applied for reimbursement?” he asked.
He warned that the APC may petition the federal government if the state continues to deny the federal government recognition for the projects.
“Should the Abia State government persist in denying the federal government recognition for these projects merely for cheap political advantage, the APC in Abia State will have no option but to formally petition the federal government to suspend all reimbursement processes,” he said.
Aguoru added that the party may also petition the National Assembly to review reimbursement requests related to the projects.
