POLITICS
APC Accuses Gov. Otti of Misleading Abians on Federal Projects
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has accused Governor Alex Otti of misleading the public over the ownership of some road and bridge projects in the state, insisting that they are primarily projects of the Federal Government.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC alleged a lack of proper information management within the Otti administration, particularly criticizing the governor’s spokesman, Ferdinand Ekeoma, for comments the party described as uninformed.
The party’s reaction followed remarks made during the recent APC congress in the state, where the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, addressed party members and highlighted several projects being executed in Abia State under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Among the projects mentioned were the reconstruction of the Omenuko Bridge and the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road. The APC said the projects are federal government initiatives, contrary to claims that they are solely the achievements of the Abia State Government.
According to the party, Governor Otti had earlier acknowledged that the Omenuko Bridge reconstruction is a federal project during an inspection tour of federal projects in the state by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in November 2025.
The statement explained that the bridge project was initially awarded to Setraco Construction in 2015 and later reviewed in 2023. It added that the Abia State Government later sought approval from the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works to undertake the reconstruction under a reimbursement arrangement.
The APC also stated that the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road project, attracted through APC lawmaker Samuel Onuigbo, was originally awarded in 2018 as a 43-kilometre federal road project, with about 19 kilometres already completed before the state government took over the remaining section due to issues of property encroachment.
The party further listed other ongoing federal road projects in the state to include the Owerrinta–Umuikaa Road Dualization, the Onuimo–Tower Road Dualization, and the Ohafia–Arochukwu Road.
According to the APC, some of the projects are being executed under a “build and be reimbursed” arrangement in which the Federal Government authorizes the state government to carry out the projects with the assurance of full reimbursement.
The party maintained that the projects remain federal initiatives since the Federal Government bears the financial responsibility for them.
The APC also called for greater transparency from the Abia State Government regarding the cost of the projects, alleging that details of the expenditures have not been fully disclosed to the public.
The party warned that it may petition the Federal Government and the National Assembly to suspend reimbursement processes for the projects if the state government continues to deny the Federal Government recognition for them.
The APC said it would continue to defend what it described as the contributions of President Tinubu’s administration to infrastructure development and federal appointments in Abia State.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has put to rest speculation over its governorship ticket, with the state Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, reaffirming Eric Opah as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FLO 94.9 FM, Chukwu declared that all controversies surrounding the party’s primaries have been resolved, and the results announced by the primary election committee — and subsequently ratified by the APC National Working Committee — remain valid and binding.
“The results of the primaries as announced by the primary election committee and ratified by the National Working Committee stand,” Chukwu said. He stressed that Eric Opah is the authentic governorship candidate of the APC in Abia State.
The chairman called on all party members to bury their differences and close ranks in order to build a formidable APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
In the same interview, Chukwu also confirmed that Hon. Erondu Uchenna will be the party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that Justice Peter Lifu acted in contempt of court by issuing a judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other political parties despite a pending appeal.
According to Abdullahi, the Court of Appeal had directed that no action should be taken on the matter until the appeal is heard on October 27. He argued that proceeding with the judgment before the appellate court’s determination amounts to a disregard for the court’s directive.
“Justice Peter Lifu, the judge who gave the judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other parties, should be arrested. The Appeal Court said don’t act until the case is heard on October 27. He’s acting in contempt of court,” Abdullahi stated.
The remarks add a new dimension to the legal and political controversy surrounding the status of the affected political parties, with the matter expected to be further addressed when the appeal comes up for hearing.
KANO — Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a leading figure in the party and former governor of Kano State.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political realignments within the NDC in Kano. The party recently unveiled Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as its governorship candidate for the state, following consultations among party stakeholders.
Political observers say the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as running mate is expected to generate discussions within Kano’s political landscape, given his family ties to the influential Kwankwasiyya movement led by his father.
The NDC has continued to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party’s leadership expressing confidence in its chances across key states, including Kano.
Party officials are expected to provide further details on the candidature and campaign strategy in the coming days.
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