Abia Lodge at Asokoro and the Lies of Demolition

ONN Aba 20.02.2025

Abia Lodge at Asokoro and the Lies of Demolition

The demolition of the Government Lodge at Asokoro Abuja has been a concern since it was demolished to make space for car parking lot according to lies of Otti’s media aides but today, more buildings have been erected in the compound.

My second official piece on Abia's current leadership focused on this very subject, when the Governor proposed demolishing the Government House in Umuahia while the Abuja lodge, located at TY Danjuma Street in Asokoro, was reduced to rubble.

At the time, I was not convinced by the reason provided by the Governor's media aides regarding why Abia State would spend over N8 billion Naira on a new Government lodge in Abuja, especially when many other critical issues in the state were in need of attention. Government worldwide often prefers to "retrofit" structures to meet their needs, rather than demolishing them entirely to the foundation level.

The Governor’s media aides, however, vigorously defended the action, stating that only two sections of the house were demolished to create space, as the compound was otherwise fully built up.

On 19th February 2025, I visited the same location in Asokoro and observed that new structures were being constructed from the ground up, with the buildings nearing 80% completion. It became clear that the demolition was not just for space creation, but part of a larger plan to write-off billions by constructing entirely new structures within the compound. The compound itself has been so fully built up that it can only accommodate the Governor’s security vehicles, while visitors will have to park along the road.

As the Governor’s media aides were defending the demolition and disparaging those who opposed it, they were unaware that a contract had already been awarded for a fresh, multi-billion Naira construction.

My conclusion is that this government needs to be more transparent and open with both its policies and its communications. There should be no room for conflicting stories, especially from the very aides entrusted with conveying the government's message. If this information had been openly shared, it would have prevented the confusion that has now arisen.

Again, it is likely that the Abia Government House in Umuahia is not in use because any intended remodeling may need to start from the foundation, following instructions of the "gods".

I was told one Nursery school at my village was teaching names of States and capitals . Abia / Umuehim. Adamawa/ Yola. Akwa Ibom / Uyo.😆

The Government needs to relocate to Umuahia in line with the offical status of Umuahia as the state capital of Abia state.

Obinna Oriaku

Ekwedike