The Abia State Government has vehemently denied accusations circulating online that it spent a staggering N927 million on Governor Alex Otti’s meals, welfare packages, and other expenses over a three-month period.
Initial reports suggested that a budget performance document indicated an expenditure of N927 million on refreshments, meals, allowances, honorarium, and welfare packages between July and September 2023. Specifically, the breakdown showed N223,389,889.84 allocated to refreshments and meals, with an additional N305,400,000.00 earmarked for honorarium and sitting allowances for government officials under the Otti administration.
This revelation has sparked controversy on social media, with many Nigerians expressing astonishment at the purported expenditure within such a short timeframe.
However, in response to inquiries, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, categorically refuted the claims, labeling the report as incorrect. While assuring a comprehensive and official response to the viral report from an online platform, he stated, “The report is incorrect; there was nothing like that, and we will do an official response to that.”
