We Inherited a Mess – Governor Alex Otti Speaks on Abia’s Condition After Taking Office

Governor Alex Otti (Abia state)

Abia State Governor Alex Otti says he met the state in a very bad condition after taking over from former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, citing decayed infrastructure and financial strain.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has spoken candidly about the situation he met on ground when he assumed office in May, describing it as deeply troubling and far from what many residents might have imagined.

According to Otti, the state he inherited from his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, was in what he called a “very bad shape.” He said the challenges cut across almost every sector — from infrastructure and public services to finances and basic governance structures.

Speaking during a recent engagement, the governor did not mince words. He painted a picture of a state struggling under the weight of unpaid obligations, deteriorating roads, and weakened institutions. For many Abians, his remarks confirmed what they had experienced daily — bad roads, slow economic activity, and mounting frustration.

Otti explained that the financial situation was particularly alarming. He said the administration had to first understand the full extent of outstanding liabilities before charting a path forward. According to him, it was not just about campaign promises anymore; it was about stabilizing a system that was already under significant strain.

Residents in cities like Aba and Umuahia had long complained about infrastructure decay. From flooded streets during the rainy season to inconsistent public services, many felt the state had lost its pace. Otti’s comments appear to acknowledge those concerns directly.

He stressed that rebuilding Abia would require patience and collective effort. “You don’t fix years of damage overnight,” he reportedly noted, adding that his administration is focused on laying a solid foundation rather than chasing quick headlines.

Political observers say such frank assessments are not unusual when new governments take over. Incoming leaders often highlight the state of affairs they inherit, partly to set expectations and partly to explain early policy decisions. However, in Abia’s case, the governor’s tone suggests the problems may be deeper than many initially assumed.

Otti has repeatedly assured residents that reforms are already underway. He pointed to efforts aimed at improving revenue generation, cleaning up the civil service system, and prioritizing critical infrastructure. The governor maintains that while the road ahead may be tough, the state is on a recovery path.

For many Abians, the real test will be visible results — smoother roads, prompt payment of workers, improved healthcare facilities, and a more business-friendly environment. While the debate over past administrations may continue in political circles, ordinary citizens are focused on one thing: change they can see and feel.

When asked if he met the state in bad shape, he replied, “Absolutely, very, very bad shape, but I am not complaining. I have folded my sleeves and I am just dealing with what I met here.” He said that while he was not totally against debts, his grouse was that he did not see what the money borrowed by his predecessor was used for.

“My worry is not really about debt, it is about what the debt is used for. If you inherited a debt profile of N34.4 billion by May 29, 2015 and eight years later you ran that debt to about N192.2 billion; I really can’t see anything that you have done with the money, salaries were not being paid, pensioners were being owed, infrastructure was decaying, the place go into ruins, schools were run down completely, hospitals were dilapidated.

“So, the issue is where did the money go? If I am going to take debt, it is going to go into regenerative expenditure. But when you are taking loans and you are running the state into debt, just for consumption, you are not investing in the state; you are not paying salaries; that’s actually what I was talking about.”

On tax collection, Governor Otti said his administration has cleaned up the system by driving away miscreants from collecting taxes for the government.

He said that they have made it a duty that collection of any revenue cannot be made in cash.

As the months unfold, all eyes will remain on Otti’s government to see whether the promised turnaround becomes reality. What is clear from his recent remarks is that he believes he inherited a difficult situation — and he wants the public to understand just how challenging the starting point was.

“As a government, we do not patronise touts and we have also made it clear that people in Ariaaria market can only pay through the designated banks. Cash payments are no longer allowed. You do not pay for any revenue by cash, you can only pay through the banks,” he said.