Group dismisses fiscal ranking on Abia, cites visible gains in infrastructure, power under Otti
The Citizens Alliance for Democratic Accountability (CADA) has rejected recent claims questioning fiscal transparency in Abia State, insisting that the administration of Governor Alex Otti is delivering tangible and measurable
The Citizens Alliance for Democratic Accountability (CADA) has rejected recent claims questioning fiscal transparency in Abia State, insisting that the administration of Governor Alex Otti is delivering tangible and measurable results.
The group’s position followed an on-the-ground assessment of Abia and other South-East states, where it evaluated infrastructure, public services, and governance performance through direct engagement with residents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, CADA National President, Amb. Ibrahim B. Farouk said the tour offered clear insight into the scale and pace of development in Abia, reinforcing the view that the Otti administration’s interventions are both visible and transformative.
“Any evaluation that ignores the lived realities of citizens and instead relies solely on theoretical frameworks risks reaching conclusions that are detached from the situation on the ground. In Abia today, governance is evident in the roads people use, the revival of businesses, and renewed confidence in public institutions,” Farouk said.
Advertisement
300x250
CADA highlighted the rehabilitation of major road networks in Aba and Umuahia, noting that previously dilapidated routes are now improving mobility and boosting economic activities.
“For years, Abia was characterised by poor road infrastructure and urban decline, particularly in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. What we are witnessing now is a deliberate effort to reverse that trend. Strategic road projects have enhanced connectivity and restored economic access to affected communities,” he added.
The group also noted that improvements in electricity supply have become a key focus of the Otti administration, alongside broader efforts to enhance urban sanitation and restore environmental order across the state.
“At a time when many parts of Nigeria are grappling with unreliable power due to countless grid failures, Abia has emerged as a striking exception. Residents and businesses in key areas now enjoy stable electricity. This is the result of deliberate policy direction and investment in alternative power solutions,” Farouk stated, adding that improved electricity is already revitalising small and medium-scale enterprises in Aba, helping artisans and manufacturers reduce production costs and increase output.
Beyond infrastructure, CADA emphasised the administration’s broader commitment to efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
Advertisement
300x250
“What defines leadership is not the volume of criticism it attracts but the clarity of its results. In Abia, there is a visible shift from rhetoric to execution. Public institutions are being repositioned, revenue leakages addressed, and a growing culture of accountability is evident in daily interactions with government,” Farouk said.
The group also highlighted Abia’s remarkable progress in environmental sanitation.
“Abia was once regarded as one of the dirtiest states in Nigeria, but that has changed under Otti’s administration. The Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASEPA) and the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) have made significant breakthroughs in urban cleanliness. In 2024, UN-Habitat formally invited both agencies to attend a conference in Egypt to showcase how Aba, once considered the dirtiest city in Nigeria, has become a shining example of sanitation and urban management,” Farouk added.
CADA cautioned against assessments that focus exclusively on fiscal metrics, arguing that governance must be evaluated holistically, taking into account infrastructure, services, citizen welfare, and urban management.
“It is important to recognise that reforms, especially those aimed at restructuring governance systems, take time to fully mature. However, what is undeniable is the direction of travel. Abia is moving forward, and the pace of transformation is evident even to casual observers,” Farouk said.
He concluded that the progress under Otti provides a strong foundation for sustained development and a benchmark for other state governments.
“To suggest that Abia is lagging without acknowledging the scale of transformation underway is to ignore reality. Governance is ultimately about impact, and the current administration has set a new benchmark; one that is visible, measurable, and deeply felt by the people,” Farouk added.
