Ekwedike’s Right of Reply To The Unfactual Gibberish Spewed By Otti In His Smear Campaign Againt Me To Silence Opposition | #NwokeukwuMascot

 Opinion 

1. Obinna Oriaku served as Commissioner for Finance in Abia State from 2015 to 2019, during the first term of Okezie Ikpeazu. Ekwedike served on a pro bono basis, as Abia State never paid his salary; instead, it was First Bank that covered his remuneration since he was on secondment for the four years he served. The Abia State Government, through the then SSG, Eme Okoro, formally wrote to First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) requesting his services as a seasoned public sector banker and administrator that has done well with successive governments in Enugu State (copy attached). We carry receipts. 

He ensured a reduction in what his predecessor was entitled to for FAAC meetings in Abuja, cutting it from ₦1.6 million to ₦500,000, whereas under the “New Abia”, it stands at ₦10 million. Due to the recession of that era and indeed until 2019 when he left Executive Council allowances were reduced from ₦1 million to ₦500,000. We remain proud of the sacrificial leadership and service of that period. Go and verify.

From 2015 to 2017, Nigeria experienced two separate recessions, affecting most states’ ability to pay salaries and pensions. Only about six states could comfortably meet these obligations, prompting the Federal Government to introduce the bailout facility, which all 36 states participated in, except Lagos State. In December 2015, Abia State received ₦1.8 billion as FAAC allocation, while JAAC was ₦1.6 billion. However, the state’s monthly financial obligations stood at ₦2.3 billion while Local government Statutory obligations was N1.7billon, meaning that even Elon Musk would have owed salaries under such financial and economic conditions.

Today, with over ₦1.7 trillion shared monthly as FAAC allocations, all 36 states and the FCT have moved beyond mere salary and pension payments to execution of impactful projects. Unfortunately, despite receiving approximately ₦21 billion monthly, Abia State remains the only government in Nigeria that still boasts of salary payments as an achievement. While pension payments were sometimes delayed during his  time , pensioners were NEVER paid half pensions under his watch.

2. Ekwedike was best described as a REFORMER. His tagline on air during those years was: “If you want to be loved by all, go and sell ice cream.” Oriaku introduced many institutional reforms that remain in effect today:

• Biometric capturing and automated salary and pension payments, still in use.

• Abolition of 19 sub-treasuries in Abia for pension payments which was a conduit for fraud. 

• Civil service and judiciary reforms, which would have solved judicial staffing issues though unimplemented 

• Board of Internal Revenue restructuring reforms that would have  boosted huge revenue collection.. This was truncated with his exit from Government in 2019.  Unfortunately, even the present Government is still the point Oriaku left. 

• Full automation of school fee collection portals, which increased ABSU’s revenue from ₦1.5 billion to ₦3.5 billion annually and Abia Poly’s from ₦600 million to ₦1.3 billion.

Bifurcation of JSS 1 to 3 from Secondary School Management  board 16 years after UBEC was established.  Today, they are managed under the local government system like rest 36 states which helped in salaries of teachers easier.  ( I doubt if they know what bifurcation means in civil service) Otondos.

In his village, Ekwedike ensured his role in government had direct impacts:

• He attracted and completed the Owerrinta to Umuojima Bypass Road (4.7 km) and Umuochala to Umuchima  Road (10 km), linking the proposed Medical City.

• Transformers were distributed to villages.

• Village farmers and PDP women received support for farm inputs.

• He started his scholarship scheme long before his government service.

• CSDP rural electrification and local market projects were executed.

• Primary schools in Owerrinta benefited from government interventions.

Abia State’s management of the bailout funds was so transparent that it won an award from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum after a committee conducted assessments across 35 states. Members of that committee, including representatives from NLC, Pension Associations, NULGE, TUC, and NUT, are still available to validate this. The then Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, received the award on behalf of the state, and he can also confirm this.

The Paris Club refunds remain a landmark case in Nigeria’s financial management history. Oriaku was dragged to the EFCC because he refused to approve payments to consultants engaged by the state, believing such payments would amount to duplication, as the Governors’ Forum had already settled similar obligations in Abuja. Under the “New Abia”, such payments would have been made effortlessly, just as ₦7 billion was allocated as consultancy fees in 2024. The Abia State House of Assembly invitation was merely a political ploy. He has since challenged them to investigate these matters instead of using them to divert attention from allegations of abuse of office against the current government.

3. Obinna Oriaku purchased nomination forms and contested the APC Governorship Primary against Alex Otti where Oriaku emerged first runner of APC . Otti couldn't stand the heat but ran to another political party. He never sought any appointment from Otti's government. Even while in the same party (APC), Oriaku never set foot in Otti’s  house in Umuehim till date .

In 2023, opposition leaders, including Ferdinand Ekoma, Honest Munachi, Eke STV, and Mbaugwu, all collaborated with Oriaku in critiquing the Ikpeazu administration. If you refuse to acknowledge that his uncompromising stance led to his ouster from that government, you must at least admit that he boldly spoke against its failures. Therefore, he cannot remain silent while even worse governance issues are unfolding under the current administration.

4. The Osisioma to Eke Akpara Road has become a symbol of this government’s deceit, marked by a sham flag-off ceremony with no real intention to execute the project. That road remains at a snail’s pace, as the contractor has not been funded, despite the government receiving ₦21 billion monthly.

Across Abia State, over 70% of flagged-off projects remain inactive, serving only as a political distraction for Abians.

5. Ekwedike has remained consistent since day one in Abia. He fought a historic battle against corruption, one that no one has dared before. Obinna Oriaku is beyond media distractions because he left indelible marks during his tenure.

This is the first time in Abia’s history that a former commissioner is boldly engaging a government he once served 2015 to 2019, and still standing tall seven years after leaving office. 

Logical and constructive opposition cannot be silenced by Otti's intimidation or lame accusation that people are planning to destabilise his government whereas Otti cannot account for over N600 billion he has received thus far.

Ekwedike Media Team

25/02/2024