Prince Paul Ikonne Lauds Defections into APC, Berates Gov. Otti for Financial Recklessness

PRESS RELEASE

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has described the ongoing wave of defections into the APC across the country as a sign of political progress and validation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unifying leadership.

Speaking on a monitored TVC program on the topic “Gale of Defections and the Chances of APC in the South East,” Ikonne said that the steady movement of governors and political heavyweights into the APC is a testament to the positive direction of Mr. President’s leadership, which everyone wants to be identified with.

“No one identifies with failure,” Ikonne said. “So when you see these defections, it is simply proof that the man at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is providing the kind of visionary and inclusive leadership that is driving Nigeria to greater heights by every standard. When you’re a state governor and you receive allocations that no administration before you ever received, why wouldn’t you identify with the man steering the ship, so as to attract more dividends of democracy to your people?”

The APC stalwart praised President Tinubu for his leadership and for the visible federal presence in Abia State, noting that under the current administration, several projects have been flagged off and constructed. He, however, criticized the Abia State government for failing to acknowledge or inform the people about these federal interventions that are gradually transforming the state.

“Our governor today receives an average of over ₦34 billion monthly, unlike his predecessors, yet there is nothing tangible to show for it,” Ikonne said. “Rather than tell Abians the truth, the government is hiding under propaganda and inflated claims that do not reflect what people see on the ground.”

Ikonne described as brazen financial recklessness the decision of the Otti-led administration to enlist another ₦12.74 billion for public school renovations in the third quarter of 2025, when ₦72.5 billion earlier claimed to have been spent on the same schools remains unaccounted for.

He said it was shameful that after allegedly spending over ₦82 billion in the name of education, the Abia State government cannot point to a single renovated or newly constructed public school.

Drawing an analogy with neighboring Enugu State, Ikonne observed that Governor Peter Mbah has executed visible and functional smart school projects that have transformed the learning environment for students. He wondered why Governor Otti, after spending tens of billions, cannot show even one model school to justify such massive expenditure.

“This is not governance,” Ikonne declared. “This is deception wrapped in propaganda. You cannot claim to have spent billions on schools, hospitals, roads, and office buildings when the people cannot see or feel the impact. Abians deserve transparency, not audio projects and cosmetic flag-offs.”

Ikonne also questioned what he called a disturbing pattern of inflated claims across other sectors, where billions have been declared as spent on road rehabilitation, office complexes, hospitals, and flood control, yet nothing tangible exists on the ground.

He emphasized that governance is not about colorful ceremonies or media optics, but about real development that improves the lives of the people.

“Abia deserves better. The people can no longer be deceived by empty figures and cosmetic announcements. The truth is clear — the schools are not there, and the money is gone,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Prince Paul Ikonne said that the ongoing political realignment and growing acceptance of the APC in the South East are strong indications that an “Asiwaju Tsunami” is coming to Abia and the entire region come 2027, as more people continue to align with the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Signed:

Ujo Justice, Ph.D

1st November, 2025