Abia gets n15.6bn every month, not n38bn

The Governor of the State of Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, has denied claims by the Deputy Chairperson of the House of Representatives, RT. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, that the state receives between ₦ 38 billion and ₦ 40 billion every month from the federation account.

In a statement on Monday signed by advisors, especially about the media and publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor of Otti clarified that the total monthly allocation of Abia from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), including local government funds, was established in ₦ 15,625 billion.

This clarification follows the statement of Kalu at the Independence Anniversary event in Umuahia, where he reported to supporters that Abia’s monthly allocation had increased sharply compared to what was received by the previous administration.

Describe the numbers of the vice -speaker as “inaccurate and misleading,” Otti urged public officials to verify financial data before making a statement that could be wrong in the form of citizens.

According to a statement entitled “Governance in Abia: Arranging Note,” Otti records:

“The allocation of FAAC in 2025 Annual Abia (eight months), including the regional government, was established in ₦ 125 billion. If the number ₦ 38 billion monthly is true, it will amount to around ₦ 304 billion in the same period.”

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The Governor explained that while the nominal value of FAAC disbursement had increased due to the depreciation of Naira – from around 460 to dollars in 2023 to about 1,500 in 2025 – the actual value had declined due to inflation and higher goods and services costs.

He said his government had maintained a wise financial management regardless of this challenge, ensuring salary payments on time and the implementation of infrastructure projects throughout the state.

Otti further highlighted the government’s commitment to improve welfare and work, which states that the minimum wage for state workers has been raised from ₦ 30,000 to ₦ 70,000. He added that more than 5,000 teachers and additional health professionals had been recruited to strengthen the education and health sector.

“Before 2023, the number of civil servants in Abia stood around 31,000. Today, the verified amount exceeds 67,000, not including newly recruited teachers,” the statement said.

Repeating the promise of his government for transparency and fiscal discipline, Otti asked political leaders to involve responsibly and base their public comments on verified facts.

He stressed that while his government welcomed constructive criticism, it would continue to improve wrong information that was able to mislead the public or distort government records in the state of Abia.