Abia: I'll outperform Otti if elected governor

The Abia governorship candidate of the Action People’s Party (APP), Major-General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (retd), has promised to outperform Governor Alex Otti’s administration if elected governor of the state in 2027.

General Ijioma, who made the promise during a chat with newsmen in Umuahia, while acknowledging that the incumbent government had performed better than previous administrations in certain areas, however maintained that he would offer what he called a “better alternative” to the present administration.

“The gains made by the present administration is insufficient when measured against the resources available to the state and the hardship experienced by many residents. I think media publicity given to government had done, exceeded the measurable impact on ordinary residents.

“The ultimate test of governance should be whether citizens could feel the impact of public expenditure through improved infrastructure, economic opportunities, security and living standards”.

The APP guber candidate said the current administration should publish and explain how increased federal allocations had translated into projects and services across the state.

“Abia has received more than N1tn in Federation Account allocations since May 2023, while the 17 local government areas have received more than N178 billion in direct allocations over the period”.

Those figures, he said, required public scrutiny and should be matched against verifiable projects and services delivered at state and local government levels.

Ijioma also questioned what he described as inadequate development at local government headquarters, arguing that local governments were closest to the people and should therefore be allowed to deploy their resources directly for community development.

He promised that if elected governor, his administration would respect local government finances and demand measurable results from local government authorities.

On the controversial Abia State’s new political campaign advertising fees, Ijioma challenged the policy and demanded greater transparency in the management of public resources.

Ijioma condemned the Otti administration over what he described as excessive campaign advertising charges, insecurity, and rising hardship.

“I will not pay N150 million to put up a billboard,” Ijioma said, arguing that the fee was excessive and questioning the legal basis for the charge.

Ijioma, who said the fee was higher than the cost of billboards, vowed to challenge it in court should the government not stop it.

The retired army general gave hope to the oil-producing communities in Abia, saying their marginalisation in the scheme of things would end if he became governor, adding that the selection of his running mate from Ukwa West was a deliberate attempt to address the issue.

“The area had historically felt marginalised in the distribution of development opportunities and I will end that if I become the governor of the state in 2027.

“The choice of my running mate from the area was intentional, it was meant to integrate the oil producing areas more fully into the state’s development agenda if elected”.

He urged the media to continue questioning government at all levels, insisting that accountability was essential to the survival of democracy.