By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
A pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) organisation in Abia State, the Abia Best Interest Association (ABIA), has petitioned several local and international anti-corruption agencies over what it described as a controversial N54 billion allocation reportedly spent on public school renovation projects in the state.
The group has written formal complaints to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, Transparency International, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), among other institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Eze Chikamnayo, a lawyer, APC stalwart, and convener of ABIA, said the state government’s alleged failure to publish the names of contractors, project locations, or photographic evidence of 51 school projects purportedly executed with over N54 billion between the first and fourth quarters of 2024 exposes deep-seated corruption, impunity, and poor governance.
Chikamnayo described the development as “deeply troubling,” claiming that, despite significant budgetary allocations, there is no evidence of new or completed “smart school” projects in Abia nearly two years later.
“Our fact-finding visits to numerous schools across the state reveal that over 95 per cent of them remain in appalling condition, with crumbling structures, unsecured premises, and a shortage of teaching and learning materials,” he said.
He added that these findings stand at odds with records in the State Government Budget Performance Report and do not align with financial inflows from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and other federal intervention initiatives.
Chikamnayo appealed to anti-graft agencies, civil society organisations, and international watchdogs to intervene urgently. “We have formally petitioned all relevant bodies, including UNESCO, the World Bank, the Federal Ministries of Finance and Education, Transparency International, and Amnesty International. Our goal is to prevent education funds from being used as a conduit for embezzlement,” he said.
The APC leader further alleged that Governor Otti insulted him and threatened his life during a press briefing when he demanded details of the schools reportedly renovated. He vowed that the group would remain undeterred in its campaign for transparency.
In a direct jab at Labour Party leaders, Chikamnayo challenged the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to “turn his attention to the rot in Abia before preaching accountability nationwide.”
“Labour Party cannot be trusted with Nigeria if it cannot demonstrate transparency in Abia. Mr Alex Otti must come clean, and Peter Obi should mentor him on how to practise the transparency and accountability he often preaches,” he declared.
