Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is currently under fire over his claim that Arochukwu-Ohafia road was constructed by the late premier of the old eastern region, M.I Okpara and abandoned by past public office holders.
During a recent flag-off ceremony, Governor Otti alleged that past public office holders completely abandoned the road, leaving it in a deplorable state.
However, IGBERE TV’s exhaustive investigation revealed that significant sections of the road have been recently reconstructed and are in good condition, contradicting Governor Otti’s assertions.
Locals, including Mr. Monday Udeh, confirmed that the road has undergone various stages of development since Okpara’s time. They credited Professor Chimere Ikokwu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole for their significant contributions to the road’s development.
Mr. Udeh revealed that the Arochukwu-Ohafia road project was initiated by Professor Chime Ikokwu during his tenure at the PTF, with former President Muhammadu Buhari overseeing its execution as PTF Chairman. However, the project faced a setback following the sudden death of Head of State Sani Abacha, which led to a change in leadership. Fortunately, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who later became Abia State Governor, stepped in to revive the project by providing essential palliatives, making the road accessible and motorable during his administration.
“Also in 2018, prior to his senatorial election, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu played a pivotal role in rehabilitating the Umuahia to Ohafia stretch of the road through the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.”
“Furthermore, recent major reconstruction efforts have transformed extensive sections of the Ohafia to Arochukwu portions, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Senator Kalu and Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole, with the project culminating in Umuchiakuma. This highlights Senator Kalu’s consistent commitment to improving the road’s infrastructure, even before his senatorial tenure.”
“Therefore, for Governor Otti to say that the road was abandoned by public office holders since M.I. Okpara is quite worrisome,” he said.
Based on IGBERE TV’s firsthand investigation and observation, it is evident that the road to Umuchiakuma is surprisingly accessible and motorable, contradicting claims that it has been left unrehabilitated. During our inspection, the team drove along the road and witnessed its condition, leading them to conclude that it is impossible for a road that has supposedly been neglected to be in such a relatively good state. This discovery suggests that previous claims about the road’s condition may have been exaggerated or misleading.
These findings were collaborated by Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole (former member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.
Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole launched a scathing attack on Governor Alex Otti, accusing him of deliberately misleading the people of Abia State about the true condition of the Ohafia-Arochukwu road. During a recent radio appearance on Magic FM Aba’s “People and Politics” program, which was monitored by IGBERE TV, Hon. Nkole vehemently criticized Governor Otti’s claims as “mischievous and undeserving”. He explicitly contradicted Governor Otti’s assertion that the government’s intervention covers 41km, stating that the Ohafia-Arochukwu road expressway actually spans 33km.
Hon. Nkole’s strong condemnation comes amid mounting concerns about the Abia State Government’s handling of the project. He accused Governor Otti of attempting to deceive the public and downplay the scope of work required to complete the critical infrastructure project. Hon. Nkole emphasized that the people of Abia State deserve truth and transparency, not deceit and manipulation, and stressed that it is unacceptable for the Governor to misrepresent facts and create false hope among citizens.
Also Chief Fred Idika, a respected Ohafia leader and former Chairman of the Ohafia Local Government Area, has stepped forward to correct the narrative surrounding the Ohafia-Arochukwu road’s history. He clarified that the road’s foundation was laid during Dr. Michael Okpara’s tenure, and subsequent administrations have consistently performed maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. Chief Idika firmly disputed Governor Otti’s assertion that the road was abandoned by previous administrations, labeling it as a falsehood. He emphasized that the road has received attention from successive governments, contradicting the governor’s claims of neglect.
Chief Fred Idika highlighted the key contributors to the Ohafia-Arochukwu road’s development, naming Professor Chimere Ikokwu’s PTF administration, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s tenure, and President Buhari’s government as significant players in the road’s evolution. He also challenged the accuracy of Governor Alex Otti’s media office, correcting the road’s length to approximately 27-30 kilometers, contrary to the claimed 41 kilometers.
The former Ohafia Council Boss praised Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for his outstanding contributions to Abia North’s infrastructure, hailing him as one of the most effective senators in terms of quality representation and development. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the achievements of past leaders, promoting a spirit of collaboration among government officials to propel Abia State towards excellence.
With a philosophical tone, Chief Idika noted that no single administration can meet all the needs of society, likening governments to transient soldiers, while the state endures perpetually. This perspective underscores the value of collective effort and recognition of past accomplishments in building a prosperous future for Abia State.
