₦54bn For Schools: Budgets Are Estimates, Expenditures Are Facts — Ikonne Tells Gov. Otti

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Paul Ikonne, has faulted Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, over what he described as “contradictions” surrounding the controversial ₦54 billion allegedly spent on school renovations in the state.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ujo Justice, PhD, Ikonne urged the governor to “stop distracting the people with wordplay” and instead provide clear evidence of the schools renovated under the huge expenditure.

Ikonne questioned why a government that prides itself on employing “seasoned accountants” would, according to him, continue to give conflicting figures about public spending. “The issue before Abians is simple: where are the schools, and where is the ₦54 billion?” he asked.

He recalled that similar promises had been made in the past, citing an earlier ₦18 billion earmarked for school renovations “without anything tangible on the ground.”

Citing Sahara Reporters’ recent investigation, Ikonne said the governor’s dismissal of the ₦54 billion expenditure claim as a mere “mistake” was inconsistent with official state records. According to the publication, budget performance data show that between October and December 2024 alone, Abia State recorded ₦54.066 billion spent on the rehabilitation and repairs of public schools, while the total for the 2024 fiscal year stood at ₦58.323 billion.

Ikonne argued that if Governor Otti insists that only ₦2.1 billion was spent, then his administration must explain why its own budget documents show otherwise. He further noted that the 2024 approved budget allocated ₦64.7 billion for the renovation and modelling of 51 schools — averaging about ₦1.26 billion per school.

“The data is clear. Either the governor is deliberately misleading Abians, or he is unaware of what his administration is signing off,” Ikonne maintained.

He also welcomed the Freedom of Information (FOI) request from the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), which is demanding a detailed breakdown of the ₦54 billion expenditure, including a list of schools renovated, their locations, and the nature of the work carried out.

“Budgets are estimates, but expenditures are facts. The documents clearly show ₦54 billion was reported as spent between October and December 2024. If the governor disputes this, let him publish the schools. Abians are not asking for excuses — we are asking for evidence,” Ikonne said.

The APC chieftain concluded by urging Governor Otti to embrace transparency and accountability, stressing that leadership is not about “propaganda or storytelling” but about presenting facts.