Umuahia, Abia State – Former Abia State Commissioner for Finance and Budget Planning, Hon. Obinna Oriaku, has joined calls for transparency and accountability in the management of the state’s monthly federal allocations and internally generated revenues (IGR).
In a statement on Monday, Oriaku, who served under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urged Governor Alex Otti to disclose how revenues from the Federation Account and other state accruals have been spent.
The call follows a recent appeal from Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who emphasized prudent management of federal resources to address critical infrastructure needs in Abia State. Kalu noted that the state reportedly received N38 billion in excess of federal allocations monthly during the second quarter of 2025. Governor Otti, however, disputed this figure, maintaining that Abia’s monthly revenue stands at N15 billion.
In an article titled “Abia’s Q3 2025 Financial Report: Unanswered Questions, Conflicting Figures and Rising Transparency Concerns”, Oriaku described the Governor’s claims as “suspicious” and “confusing.” He argued that the recently published Q3 2025 financial report, reviewed by Progressives Abia Youth, contains figures inconsistent with both government claims and observable reality.
According to Oriaku, “The report indicates Abia received a total of N91 billion in Q3, down from N114 billion in Q2, despite Q3 being marked by high FAAC disbursements nationwide, including N1.9 trillion in July, N2.3 trillion in August, and N2.1 trillion in September. Meanwhile, internally generated revenue reportedly rose from N13.3 billion to N18 billion.”
He questioned why the state continues to deny receiving an average of N38 billion monthly between April and June. Combining federal allocations and local government inflows, Oriaku estimates Abia’s total monthly inflow exceeds N40 billion, raising serious concerns about transparency in financial reporting.
Oriaku also criticized patterns in government expenditure, noting that controversial items such as the Security Vote and Government House feeding bills have been reclassified under vague headings like “Research and Development,” which has reportedly consumed over N34 billion since 2023 with no measurable output.
He further challenged claims regarding sectoral spending, including N14.4 billion for Land and Housing, N6.7 billion for recreational facilities since Q3 2023, and N82 billion on public school repairs between January 2024 and September 2025, citing a lack of visible results. The Transport sector, he added, requires clarification, particularly regarding an electric bus project that allegedly expanded from 20 to 100 buses without public explanation.
“The people of Abia deserve transparency on how public funds are spent, especially when allocations and expenditures are as significant as those reported,” Oriaku said.
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