Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is facing public backlash following reports of allocating millions of Naira as contract negotiation fees to a law firm owned by his close ally, Kenneth Ahia (SAN), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The firm, Ken Ahia, SAN & Associates, was reportedly paid for negotiating a single road contract, sparking accusations of conflict of interest due to Ahia’s previous support during Otti’s gubernatorial campaign.
According to exclusive reports, the Abia State Government approved N50 million for the legal services provided by Ahia’s firm for the negotiation and drafting of the contract related to the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba. Initially, the sum proposed was N60 million, but the Attorney General of Abia, Ikechukwu Uwanna, highlighted the complexity of the contract as justification for the fee reduction.
It has also come to light that Ahia, in 2022, donated two buses to support Otti’s governorship campaign, further fueling allegations of favoritism. Ahia was also part of the legal team representing Otti during the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The incident has sparked outrage across social media platforms, with many questioning the transparency of Otti’s administration. Some critics have pointed out that the state’s Ministry of Justice, which is equipped with legal staff, should have handled the contract without outsourcing it to a private firm.
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In addition, previous controversies have surrounded Governor Otti’s administration, including a budget discrepancy where N1.5 billion was initially allocated for the purchase of two Toyota Hilux vehicles. Otti later claimed this figure was a result of a software glitch, stating the actual budget was N150 million.
Amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement, public reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly critical. Some have accused Otti of recklessness and questioned the justification behind awarding such significant amounts to a political ally, especially at a time when the state’s finances are under scrutiny.
Despite these criticisms, Otti’s supporters argue that the governor remains a key figure in transforming Abia State, although others believe that his actions could severely harm the state’s development prospects.
