“Emulate Tinubu, Tell Abians the Cost of all State Projects”, Abia APC Tackles Gov Otti

• By Kenneth Udeh Umuahia

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Labour Party–led Abia State Government to adopt a higher standard of transparency by publicly declaring the cost of all ongoing and completed projects, in line with the example set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Umuahia signed by Prince Ifeanyi Igwe, Esq., Acting Publicity Secretary of the Abia APC, the party commended the APC-led Federal Government for publishing a detailed breakdown of major infrastructure projects approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including the cost of each contract, the length of the roads, and the scope of work involved. The party described this level of openness as “the hallmark of accountable governance.”

According to the Abia APC, the Tinubu administration’s disclosure demonstrates genuine commitment to transparency, reinforces public confidence, and ensures that government remains answerable to the people.

The statement criticised the Abia State Government for what it described as a culture of secrecy surrounding the cost of state-funded projects, arguing that citizens have the right to know how public funds are being deployed.

“It is unfortunate that the Labour Party–led Abia Government appears to have adopted secrecy regarding the cost of projects as an official policy,” the statement read. “This has left Abians in the dark about how their resources are being utilized.”

The APC cited the recent FEC approvals of November 6, 2025, as a benchmark for transparency, noting that the Federal Government did not only list the projects but also provided full cost details, scope descriptions, and explanations for any price adjustments.

Projects listed in the latest FEC approvals include:

1. Sokoto–Badagry Coastal Superhighway Section 3
163 km from Badagry to the Ogun–Oyo border
₦553 billion (₦3.39 bn/km, full concrete)

2. Ota–Idiroko Section I + Flyover
14 km road + 509 m flyover in Ogun State
₦121 billion total (₦98 bn road + ₦23 bn flyover)

3. Ijebu Igbo–Etapa–Owoyen Road
37 km Ogun–Oyo link (+7 km added)
₦53 billion, up from original ₦13 billion after full reconstruction upgrade

4. Lagos–Ibadan Expressway Phase II Section II
Fresh award of ₦43.73 billion, including underpasses, ramps, and side roads

5. Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egba Road Phase I
31 km segment in Kwara
₦43 billion

6. Wasasa–Turunku–Mararaba Phase II
42 km in Kaduna
₦30.23 billion

7. Enugu–Onitsha Road Phase I
35 km from OP Junction to Anambra border
₦28.47 billion (₦7 bn balance outstanding)

8. Mushin–NNPC–Apapa–Oshodi Dualisation
14.4 km Lagos port access corridor
₦19.09 billion (up from ₦11 billion)

9. East–West Road (Restructured)
Port Harcourt–Warri axis with three flyovers and two bridges
Inherited ₦156 billion package, including new flyovers at Abuloma and the Refinery axis.

The Abia APC argued that if the Federal Government could disclose such extensive financial details, there is no justification for the state government’s failure to do the same.

“We therefore urge the Abia State Government to follow, without delay, the trajectory of the APC Federal Administration ably led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by embracing openness and resisting the temptation to run a government shrouded in secrecy,” the statement added.

The release was signed by Prince Ifeanyi Igwe, Esq., Acting Publicity Secretary of the Abia APC.