…CHALLENGES KALU’S ECONOMIC CLAIMS, URGES FINANCIAL LITERACY BEFORE POLITICAL COMMENTARY
By Ikechi Enwereji
The Abia State Government has dismissed recent comments made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, describing his claims about the State’s finances and performance under Governor Alex Otti as “baseless and misleading.”
In a trending video that surfaced over the weekend, Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, reportedly questioned the fiscal management of the current administration and compared it unfavourably to that of previous governors. In response, the State Government, through Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, issued a detailed statement faulting the lawmaker’s assertions and urging him to seek a proper understanding of governance and economic issues.
Abia Debunks FAAC Allocation Figures
According to Ekeoma, verifiable records show that the State’s total Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflow for 2025 (covering eight months) stands at ₦125 billion, including allocations to local governments. He explained that Kalu’s claim of a ₦38 billion monthly inflow was “a gross exaggeration,” which would have amounted to ₦304 billion if accurate.
“Should a Deputy Speaker of the Federal Legislature be associated with such bare-faced lies?” Ekeoma queried, adding that such misinformation reflected “a deep-rooted deficiency in economic understanding.”
Inflation, Exchange Rate and Real Value of Funds
The statement further clarified that the perceived increase in State revenue was offset by severe naira devaluation and inflation, noting that the dollar exchange rate had risen from ₦460 in April 2023 to about ₦1,500 in 2025.
“In real terms, ₦3.2 billion today is the equivalent of ₦1 billion in 2023,” he said. “Infrastructure projects that cost ₦1 billion two years ago now cost nearly ₦4 billion due to inflation and exchange rate impact.”
Improved Wage and Expanded Workforce
Ekeoma also highlighted improvements in workers’ welfare under the Otti administration. He stated that before the governor assumed office, only a segment of Abia’s civil servants earned the ₦30,000 minimum wage, while under the present administration, the minimum wage now ranges between ₦70,000 and ₦74,000.
He added that the verified number of Abia State workers has grown from 31,000 to over 67,000, excluding 5,349 newly recruited teachers — a development he described as evidence of restored inclusion and fairness within the State’s public service.
Political Undertone and Call for Decorum
The Abia Government accused Kalu of “petty political posturing” ahead of the 2027 election cycle, alleging that his recent remarks were driven by ambition rather than patriotism.
“It is ironic that Hon. Kalu kept quiet when civil servants were being marginalized in previous administrations, but has suddenly found his voice now that the government is delivering results,” Ekeoma stated.
He further suggested that Kalu’s criticisms were “part of a calculated attempt to attract political relevance by attacking the Otti administration while pretending to speak for the Federal Government.”
Citizens’ Support and Governance Outcomes
Ekeoma also dismissed insinuations that the massive turnout of residents during a recent event in Aba was politically orchestrated, insisting that the crowd represented genuine supporters of the governor and beneficiaries of his policies.
“Those men and women who came out in their thousands were not mobilized; they are real witnesses of good governance,” he said. “If what Kalu saw in Aba worried him, he should understand that it was only a rehearsal.”
“Kalu Needs Facts, Not Propaganda”
Concluding the statement, the governor’s spokesperson urged the Deputy Speaker to “acquire the requisite financial literacy” before making further public statements about State finances.
“To take on this government on numbers, you must be financially literate,” Ekeoma said. “For now, what we have seen is sheer ignorance and political rascality.”
About The Author
