Ikechukwu Okoro writes that the first leg of the Renewed Hope Partners local government tour has exposed shortcomings of the current administration in Abia State
“Ego a Aga Ata Ya Ata”? This Igbo proverb literally translates to ‘money is to be used wisely. It cautions against squandering wealth on non-lasting gratification and highlights the need for foresight and judicious spending.’
The proverb to a large extent, aptly questions the true situation of things in Abia state, the God’s own state which is being governed by Labour Party’s Dr. Alex Otti.
The first leg of the Renewed Hope Tour in Abia state at the weekend, showed the there is nothing on ground to justify the claims that Abia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, infrastructure renewal and economic revival.
Governor Otti on assuming office in 2023 attributed the state’s current developmental challenges to the failures of the previous administration, emphasizing that decades of neglect and mismanagement have left critical sectors in disrepair.
However, most of the governor’s claims have been proven wrong by the realities on ground and unfolding events which showed he was hiding under the benevolent wings of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Deputy Speaker of the House Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, PhD, CFR in April launched RHP and unveiled its office in Umuahia, the Abia State capital to propagate the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
This initiative is a grassroots mobilization and advocacy group aimed at promoting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and consolidating support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East region, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
The primary goal is to bridge the gap between the federal government and the grassroots, ensuring that the people of the South-East are aware of and benefit from the federal government’s projects and policies.
The Deputy Speaker who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State had at a gathering in Umuahia in October urged Governor Otti to demonstrate financial transparency and prioritize infrastructure development, given the state’s increased federal allocations and other income streams.
Just like in most societies, truth has always been a dangerous thing to say. Speaking truth to power is never an act for the faint-hearted; it’s a calling that often comes with heavy consequences.
Kalu came under attack on social media, not because he spread falsehoods, but because he chose to speak the truth boldly, clearly, and without fear.
Transparency is not an act of opposition—it is a duty owed to the people. The call for transparency centered on the management of state resources and ongoing capital projects that have raised questions among residents. Rather than receiving straightforward explanations, the inquirer became the target of smear campaigns both online and offline.
But history is filled with examples of people who were vilified for standing on the side of truth, only to be vindicated in the end.
The attacks only proved that the message struck where it hurts most, as in line with its main objective, the Renewed Hope Partners group at the weekend commenced a tour of all the local governments in the state to welcome new Progressives into the APC fold.
President Tinubu had endorsed a new ward-based development approach aimed at accelerating grassroots development and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty through the initiative known as the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP).
The RHWDP targets Nigeria’s 8,809 administrative wards across the 36 states and is designed to serve as a direct intervention mechanism for poverty alleviation, food security, rural electrification, infrastructure improvement, and economic stimulation. It is a key plank of Mr Tinubu’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
The President had urged governors to focus more on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and invest heavily in critical sectors such as agricultural mechanisation, rural power supply, poverty eradication, and education.
“I want to appeal to you; let us change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is working. We are on the path of recovery, but we need to stimulate growth in the rural areas. Let us collaborate and do what will benefit the people,” he said.
During the Renewed Hope Partners
tour, the first stop in Ukwa East, West, Ugwunagbo local governments proved that the governor’s grand claims of infrastructure development turned out to be nothing more than a carefully packaged deceit.
Behind the glossy billboards and media hype lies a stark reality, the governor’s promise of infrastructure renewal was built on deception, proving that not all that glitters is infrastructure.
While the state government frequently announces new contracts and road rehabilitation projects, it’s clear the government is ignoring the grassroots in its development agenda. Despite numerous promises of inclusive growth, rural communities are being left out of key infrastructure and empowerment projects.
A visit by the RHP group to Ugwunagbo, a suburban community, was disappointing as the village was plagued by bad roads that are nearly impassable and inadequate basic amenities.
Years of neglect left the village struggling with deplorable roads, broken infrastructure, and limited government presence. Good governance is not in words or billboards, but in the roads that lead to the people’s homes.
For two years, this deceit has been carefully wrapped, sealed, and sold to the people as progress. The people of Ugwunagbo openly voiced their concerns about the state government’s failures to RHP group, lamenting neglect by the state government.
They appealed to the Deputy Speaker to assist them in bringing much-needed development to the village, adding that his support can help improve infrastructure, create opportunities, and uplift the lives of the youths.
Responding, Kalu assured that he would actively work to attract road projects and other critical developmental initiatives to the local government area.
As the ongoing tour progresses in the coming weeks, further insights into the state of local government development are expected to emerge. Residents anticipate that the continued visits will shed more light on the lingering challenges at the grassroots level.
Okoro, a political analyst writes from Umuahia, Abia State
