Abia Information Commissioner Schools Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu on Facts, Fiscal Credibility, and Political Decency, Sets the Records Straight

The Abia State Government has responded firmly to recent comments credited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who reportedly urged the media team of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to project more of the Federal Government’s “support” to Abia State.

In a strongly worded statement titled “Setting the Records Straight: Simple Lessons in Political Credibility for Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu,” the Hon. Commissioner for Information, Prince Sir Okey Kanu, described Kalu’s remarks as “misleading, inaccurate, and unbecoming of a high-ranking federal legislator.”

Kanu noted that public discourse must be guided by facts, fairness, and responsibility, stressing that the Otti-led government would not ordinarily engage in political distractions but must respond when misinformation threatens to mislead citizens and distort verifiable records.

According to him, Federal Allocations to states are statutory entitlements not presidential favours or gifts. He explained that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), under the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), publishes monthly disbursements to all tiers of government, derived from specific revenue streams such as Statutory Revenue, 13% Derivation, VAT, Exchange Gains, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, and the Ecological Fund.

“It is therefore misleading and patently inaccurate to suggest that Mr. President releases ₦38 billion monthly to Abia State,” the statement clarified.

Citing verifiable data from the OAGF website, Prince Kanu presented the actual statutory allocations received by Abia State between January and June 2025 as follows:

January: ₦18 billion (FAAC ₦11.2B, JAAC ₦6.8B)

February: ₦22 billion (FAAC ₦13.7B, JAAC ₦8.3B)

March: ₦21.1 billion (FAAC ₦13.4B, JAAC ₦7.7B)

April: ₦20.3 billion (FAAC ₦13.0B, JAAC ₦7.3B)

May: ₦21.5 billion (FAAC ₦13.9B, JAAC ₦7.6B)

June: ₦21.7 billion (FAAC ₦13.8B, JAAC ₦7.9B)

“Even the most generous interpretation of these figures does not amount to ₦38 billion monthly as claimed by the Deputy Speaker,” Kanu emphasized.

He added that Abia State has not received any special grants or interventions from the Federal Government, insisting that all inflows were regular FAAC disbursements constitutionally shared among the states.

Despite these fiscal realities, the Information Commissioner highlighted Governor Alex Otti’s outstanding achievements within limited resources—achievements that have repositioned Abia State as a model of good governance.

Among the administration’s milestones are:

A massive road infrastructure revolution cutting across all senatorial zones,

Prompt payment of salaries and pensions, restoring dignity to workers and retirees,

Strategic investments in healthcare, education, and security,

Youth empowerment initiatives and support for local enterprises, and

Urban renewal projects and waste management reforms in Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia.

Kanu revealed that these accomplishments have earned Abia national recognition. According to the 2025 State Performance Index by Phillips Consulting, Abia ranked 1st nationwide in social and economic infrastructure spending per citizen and 2nd in road infrastructure and local enterprise support, a testament to prudent and visionary governance.

He described Governor Otti’s fiscal discipline and transparency as the “otumokpo (magic touch)” that continues to unsettle those who benefited from past inefficiencies, asserting that Otti’s leadership is driven by performance, not propaganda.

“Fighting Dr. Alex Otti, a man who carries an enormous political following and goodwill, is tantamount to fighting Ndi Abia themselves. 

“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has stirred the proverbial hornets’ nest and must retrace his steps or risk political irrelevance both in Bende LGA and across Abia State,” Kanu warned.

The Commissioner dismissed Kalu’s insinuation that the Otti administration fails to acknowledge Federal Government support, describing it as a “false narrative born of political mischief.”

“We have always shown gratitude where and when due. What we will not do is surrender facts to flattery or exchange truth for politics,” he stated.

Prince Okey Kanu concluded by advising the Deputy Speaker to align with the new governance rhythm in Abia State, one built on vision, integrity, and accountability.

“At this point, the irreducible minimum is for Ben Kalu to apologize to Governor Alex Otti and Ndi Abia for his political chicanery. 

“The people of Abia have moved beyond deceptive politics. They now stand firmly behind a leader who delivers tangible results,” he said.

He further urged the Deputy Speaker, who now appears to have assumed the role of the face of opposition in Abia, to “criticize with facts and truth in order to reclaim what is left of his sullied credibility.”