Obidients descend on Otti for expending N1bn on food, welfare in 3 months

Some members of the Obidient movement have descended on Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti for spending N1 billion on food, allowances and honorarium in three months.

The Obidients are supporters of Peter Obi’s presidential quest during the last election.

PoliticsNow earlier reported that the nearly one billion naira was spent on items including N223,389,889.84 on refreshment/meals, N305,400,000.00 on honorarium and sitting allowance for government officials and N397,520,734.00 on welfare packages.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the Abia Governor, Nedu Ekeke, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, attempted the justify the spending, claiming they were for 500 employees inherited by the government who work in the State House. But political activist and a staunch supporter of Peter Obi, Aisha Yesufu, immediately rebuffed the argument, saying Alex Otti was not elected to continue with business as usual.

She said: “Business as usual can never be the way to go. It must be business unusual. Expenditure must be reduced to the barest minimum. Almost a billion on food and welfare in 3 months? @alexottiofr get organizations like @TrackaNG to help keep you on your toes and monitor your spendings and what to cut down on.

“@Nedunaija this is not good at all. Mr Peter Obi @PeterObi has spoken severally about how he was told two cows were slaughtered per day in government house when he became Governor and how he put a stop to it. Strip all costs to the barest minimum.”

@firstladyship, an X user popular for her support for Labour Party and Peter Obi, said: “Alex Otti spending N223m on feeding in 3 months, & a meager N25m on public schools, is never okay! Fixing roads, hospitals & bridges are good, but the welfare of your people (especially your children) is thrice important. He should do well by cutting down on unnecessary spending.”

A post from @Sports_Doctor2 said: “I love Alex Otti. I love how he has started as a Governor in Abia State. I love how interactive his Government has been with the public so far. I CANNOT in good conscience swallow that they’ve spent 927 MILLION on FOOD in how many months, who are they feeding I CANNOT in good conscience say the explanations Nedu have given this morning covered every ground, it left me asking more questions!!!! Why is it DIFFICULT to actually cut COST OF GOVERNANCE in this country, I just don’t get it!!!! Like why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A lawyer and good governance advocate, @InibeheEffiong said: “This is disastrous and unacceptable!”