Renewed Hope or Renewed Concerns? APC Criticizes Alex Otti’s Governance as Unaccountable and Isolated

 

Tensions are rising within Abia State’s political landscape as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a sharp critique of Governor Alex Otti’s leadership, accusing his administration of operating under a cloak of secrecy, nepotism, and unchecked personal control. The party's state chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, leveled the accusations during the official inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners in Umuahia on Sunday.

Governor Otti, who came into office with a wave of reformist rhetoric and popular support, is now being described by the opposition as presiding over a government lacking in transparency, institutional accountability, and democratic principles. The APC claims his administration has been reduced to a tightly controlled, personality-driven entity, disconnected from the aspirations of everyday citizens.

During the event, Dr. Ononogbu did not hold back. He addressed party faithful and supporters with a message that painted a starkly different picture from the one often presented in social media posts and government-sponsored publicity. According to him, what many hail as progress is, in reality, a carefully curated narrative that conceals deep-rooted inefficiencies and deliberate sidelining of regulatory standards.

His criticism focused heavily on what he described as a collapse of institutional governance within the state. He claimed that Governor Otti functions not just as the chief executive but also as the state’s de facto accountant and auditor, operating without the checks and balances that are the hallmark of accountable leadership. He suggested that the governor bypasses standard processes and centralized scrutiny by making critical decisions from his private residence, instead of the official government house.

He further questioned the state government’s approach to public infrastructure projects. According to Ononogbu, the award and execution of road contracts have lacked proper oversight and fall short of the best practices expected of a state administration. He specifically criticized the apparent disregard for the standards of the Financial and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC), suggesting that due process had been sacrificed for speed and control.

There was also a jab directed at the governor’s decision to repurpose the newly completed government house for commercial use while continuing to govern from his private residence. Dr. Ononogbu argued that such a move symbolizes the governor's detachment from the institutions of state and further reinforces the perception of an administration that prioritizes image and personal preference over the collective interest of the people.

The Renewed Hope Partners initiative, under which these remarks were made, is designed by the APC to serve as a grassroots platform for mobilizing support and promoting a new political direction for Abia. Dr. Ononogbu expressed confidence in the potential of the platform to drive a movement capable of returning the state to inclusive and responsive governance.

Despite the fiery tone of his address, Ononogbu extended a message of optimism to the people of Abia. He emphasized that a better and more accountable future for the state remains within reach, but only through what he termed “the right kind of leadership.” He called on citizens to reflect critically on the realities around them rather than rely solely on online narratives or politically motivated endorsements.

“Abia deserves leadership that is both competent and transparent, leadership that is built on institutions, not personalities,” he told attendees, many of whom nodded in agreement throughout his remarks.

The criticism from the APC is the most direct and detailed attack yet on Governor Otti’s administration since he assumed office. It signals a ramping up of opposition strategy ahead of future political contests in the state. While Otti and his team have enjoyed relatively positive media coverage and applause from some sections of the public, the APC’s latest offensive aims to challenge the dominant narrative and question the sustainability of his governance model.

Observers will be watching closely to see how the governor and his aides respond to the allegations, especially as they concern core issues like transparency, use of state facilities, and infrastructure development practices. If left unaddressed, the accusations could plant seeds of doubt in the minds of even some of his most loyal supporters.

Political analysts suggest that this latest development reflects not just typical opposition rhetoric but a growing concern about the concentration of power in the executive arm of the state. With public confidence hinging on openness and participation, the coming months may determine whether Governor Otti can continue to command the goodwill that helped bring him to power.

For now, the APC is positioning itself as the voice of a counter-narrative, one that insists the glossy image of a "new Abia" belies deeper issues of governance, accountability, and institutional integrity.