Abia Government Dismisses Chikwendu Udensi’s Comments On State Governance As Mischievous And Ignorant

The Abia State Government has responded strongly to comments made by former APGA governorship aspirant, Chief Chikwendu Udensi, describing his remarks on governance in the state as “ignorant, mischievous, and riddled with falsehood.”

In a statement issued on Monday, the government said Chief Udensi’s recent claims on the cost of the Port Harcourt Road project, school renovation expenditure, and his allegation that Governor Alex Otti is running a “one-man show” were baseless and misleading.

The statement explained that the Port Harcourt Road project, awarded to Julius Berger under Governor Otti, is a 6.7-kilometre dual carriageway, not 5.7 kilometres as claimed by Udensi. Each side of the road measures 11.1 metres, giving a total width of 22.2 metres or six lanes.

By calculation, the 6.7km stretch multiplied by three lanes equals 20.1 kilometres in measurement. With a project cost of 36 billion naira, the government maintained that the cost translates to about 1.8 billion naira per kilometre, which is justifiable given the quality of work and drainage system delivered by Julius Berger.

According to the government, Port Harcourt Road had been in ruins for decades, covered with heaps of refuse as high as 24 feet, overgrown vegetation, and collapsed drainage, making its reconstruction critical.

Responding to Udensi’s claim of 54 billion naira allegedly spent on school renovation, the government dismissed it as misinformation. It explained that all expenditures are reflected in audited accounts, which remain public documents, and that no funds were missing. The administration insisted that the visible improvements in the education sector were a result of accountability and efficiency, not financial recklessness.

The government also faulted Udensi’s criticism of Governor Otti’s leadership style, stating that the governor has assembled a team of accomplished professionals working silently to deliver results. It pointed out that Governor Otti holds weekly Executive Council meetings and monthly Expanded Executive Council meetings involving commissioners, permanent secretaries, and senior government officials, ensuring participatory governance.

The statement added that Governor Otti has created the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA), and reorganized the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), all to decentralize governance and strengthen institutional capacity.

The government further criticized Udensi’s political history, recalling that he left APGA after consistently clashing with Dr. Otti. It noted that Udensi performed poorly in the last APGA governorship primaries, yet declared himself the winner midway into the process.

The government described Udensi’s recurring media appearances as attempts to remain relevant ahead of the 2027 elections and urged him to desist from what it called “intentional mischief.”

The statement reaffirmed Governor Otti’s focus on delivering sustainable development in Abia through transparent governance, quality infrastructure, and institutional reforms. It urged Abians to disregard misleading narratives and remain confident in the government’s commitment to progress.