THE OPPOSITION’S MAGIC WAND: WHY THEY EXPECT OTTI TO FIX DECADES OF DECAY OVERNIGHT
By Pastor AProf. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
I have read the latest attacks on Governor Alex Chioma Otti over the condition of public schools in Abia State. I consider the concerns about dilapidated classrooms serious, but I reject the attempt to present one deteriorating school as proof that the entire education reform programme has failed.
I will confront this argument with facts, dates, records and the responsibilities that come with governing a state burdened by years of infrastructural neglect.
On October 21, 2026, Theo Abu Agada of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was reported as describing Governor Otti as a failure following the circulation of a video showing a dilapidated public school in Ukwa East Local Government Area.
I ask Agada a straightforward question: Does the existence of one dilapidated school establish that the government has not reconstructed or improved any other school?
It does not.
I recognise that the children attending that school deserve a safe learning environment. I also recognise that the condition of the school deserves an immediate government response. But I will not confuse a legitimate demand for urgent intervention with a comprehensive assessment of the administration’s education record.
I WILL NOT ALLOW THE EDUCATION RECORD TO BE ERASED
On March 11, 2026, the Abia State Government published a statement issued by Governor Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, documenting the governor’s meeting with representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
At that meeting, Governor Otti explained that his administration had consistently committed one-fifth of the state’s annual budgets to education.
He said:
“We are also very intentional because we know the outcomes we expect.”
The statement further reported that the government had recruited 5,394 teachers and was undertaking another recruitment exercise involving 4,000 teachers.
The teachers’ representatives also acknowledged the payment of salary arrears inherited from the preceding administration, the construction of smart schools and improvements in teachers’ working conditions.
Source: “Abia State Government, March 11, 2026 — We Are Intentional About Education in Abia” (https://abiastate.gov.ng/we-are-intentional-about-education-in-abia-gov-otti/)
I regard these as substantive policy actions that must form part of any responsible assessment. Budget commitments, recruitment figures and salary payments can be verified against public records.
The opposition is entitled to scrutinise these figures. It is not justified in disregarding them.
COMPLETED PROJECTS CANNOT BE DISMISSED AS PROMISES
On July 9, 2026, BusinessDay, in a report by Godfrey Ofurum, documented the inauguration of Ogbo Central Smart School in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The report identified the school as part of a wider programme involving 20 smart schools across Abia State.
Source: “BusinessDay, July 9, 2026 — Smart School Project Will Change Face of Public Education in Abia” (https://businessday.ng/news/article/smart-school-project-will-change-face-of-public-education-in-abia-otti/)
On July 23, 2026, NewsVerge also reported the inauguration of Umuomayiukwu Smart School in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
Source: “NewsVerge, July 23, 2026 — Abia Expanding Education Frontlines Through Smart Schools” (https://newsverge.com/2026/07/23/abia-expanding-education-frontlines-through-smart-schools-otti/)
I place these records alongside the Ukwa East video because both completed projects and outstanding infrastructure deficiencies belong in an accurate account of the state’s education sector.
A completed school does not excuse an abandoned classroom. Equally, an abandoned classroom does not make a completed school disappear.
That is the distinction I insist upon.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE UNFINISHED WORK
I will go further.
On May 23, 2026, New Telegraph, in a report by Igbeaku Orji, documented Governor Otti’s acknowledgement that his administration had not met its anticipated targets for basic education infrastructure renewal.
Governor Otti reportedly stated:
“We will put ourselves under pressure to put the schools in the proper shape.”
Source: “New Telegraph, May 23, 2026 — Gov Otti Scores Low in Basic Education Infrastructure Renewal” (https://newtelegraphng.com/gov-otti-scores-low-in-basic-education-infrastructure-renewal/)
I consider that admission important.
The governor acknowledged the shortfall rather than claiming that every school had already been rebuilt. I therefore expect the administration to demonstrate how its subsequent renovation activities are addressing the remaining needs.
This is a stronger basis for evaluating government performance than pretending either that every problem has been solved or that no progress has occurred.
MY DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE UKWA EAST VIDEO
I will not dismiss the schoolchildren whose learning environment has generated public concern.
I want the affected school identified, its infrastructure assessed and the appropriate remedial action clearly communicated.
But I also want the public record to show when that infrastructure deteriorated, what intervention was previously undertaken and how the present administration intends to address it.
I reject the assumption that the date a problem becomes viral is necessarily the date that problem began.
If a classroom has been deteriorating for years, its history matters. If government has committed to renovating it, implementation matters. If implementation is delayed, that delay must be explained.
I expect those questions to be answered with documents and verifiable outcomes.
ON UCHE AGUORU AND THE ₦5 BILLION ALLEGATIONS
I also reject any attempt to treat unproven allegations about public finances as established facts.
On May 31, 2026, Abia State APC spokesperson Uche Aguoru alleged that Governor Otti had facilitated an improper ₦5 billion payment intended to destabilise the APC.
On June 8, 2026, PREMIUM TIMES, in a report by Chinagorom Ugwu, documented the governor’s rejection of the allegations and his lawyers’ demand for a retraction and supporting particulars.
The lawyers maintained that the allegations were “false and without factual foundation.”
Source: “PREMIUM TIMES, June 8, 2026 — Otti Threatens Lawsuit Against Abia APC Chieftain” (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/885917-otti-threatens-lawsuit-against-abia-apc-chieftain-over-alleged-plot-to-destabilise-party.html)
On July 24, 2026, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Governor Otti had instituted a defamation action seeking ₦5 billion in damages.
The publication explained that the governor filed the action in his private capacity and that the amount claimed represented damages sought in the suit.
Source: “PREMIUM TIMES, July 24, 2026 — Nigerian Governor Files N5 Billion Lawsuit Against APC Spokesman” (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/897977-nigerian-governor-files-n5-billion-lawsuit-against-apc-spokesman.html)
I insist on one essential distinction: the alleged ₦5 billion political payment and the ₦5 billion claimed in the defamation suit are not the same transaction.
The first is an allegation that requires proof. The second is a claim for damages subject to judicial determination.
I will not describe either an allegation or a legal claim as a concluded judicial finding.
Anyone alleging diversion of public funds should provide evidence capable of independent examination.
That is the standard of accountability I expect to apply regardless of political affiliation.
GOVERNMENT MUST BE JUDGED BY THE FULL RECORD
I will not assess the rehabilitation of Abia’s education infrastructure through isolated photographs alone.
I will examine completed projects, ongoing construction, recruitment, budget implementation, unresolved school conditions and the actual experience of pupils and teachers.
I will also recognise the distinction between announced allocations and money actually spent, between projects under construction and projects completed, and between enrolment figures reported by government and independently verified outcomes.
That is not an excuse for government. It is a demand for accurate accounting.
I expect the Abia State Government to make school-by-school rehabilitation information accessible to the public, including the status of Ukwa East schools requiring urgent attention.
I expect contractors to deliver quality work, supervising officials to enforce standards and the education authorities to ensure that completed facilities remain functional.
THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER OTTI HAS A MAGIC WAND
I return to the central issue.
Governor Otti assumed office on May 29, 2023. His administration inherited the school infrastructure that existed at that time. The extent of that inherited deterioration, the interventions subsequently undertaken and the remaining deficiencies must all be documented.
I cannot reasonably attribute every longstanding infrastructure problem to an administration simply because it is currently in office.
Neither can I excuse that administration from its duty to address the problem.
I will apply one consistent standard: establish the condition inherited, identify the resources committed, verify the work completed and hold the responsible authorities accountable for what remains unfinished.
I will not accept political labels as substitutes for that process.
A dilapidated school demands urgent attention. It does not, on its own, invalidate every documented school project, teacher recruited or education policy implemented elsewhere in Abia State.
I therefore stand by the need for a full, evidence-based presentation of the government’s education record.
I will defend documented achievements against inaccurate claims, acknowledge outstanding deficiencies and demand that the administration continue to provide measurable results.
That is the position I take.
Pastor AProf. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke
October 21, 2026
