Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia state, shares how his administration faced a hostile handover on May 29, 2023, when he succeeded Okezie Ikpeazu. During the inauguration of a judicial panel of inquiry to recover alleged looted government properties and funds from previous administrations, Otti expresses his frustration with the challenging situation, which hindered his ability to immediately take effective action. He reveals that his administration started from a disadvantage, lacking essential information and support, possibly due to misconduct by individuals responsible for public assets and funds.
Speaking at the Abia Government House in Umuahia, Otti discloses, "Let me reveal that this administration experienced a very hostile handover situation which made it very difficult for us to hit the ground running on the 29th of May, as we had anticipated. We, therefore, assumed office blindly and had to start practically from below ground zero. We are now discovering that the reason for the lack of cooperation might have arisen from widespread mischief by some of those who were given custody of our collective assets and welfare."
He goes on to explain that the purpose of the judicial panel of inquiry is to investigate and recover public assets that were allegedly misused or looted. Otti acknowledges that his administration would have preferred to focus solely on governance and delivering the dividends of democracy, but the numerous complaints and evidence of misconduct necessitated a thorough inquiry into past deeds. The governor expresses concern over widespread malfeasance, looting, and misuse of government properties and resources, even including the conversion of public school lands for private use.
To address these issues, Otti emphasizes the importance of the judicial panel of inquiry in ensuring the recovery of government funds and properties. He outlines the panel's terms of reference, which include receiving and examining complaints, identifying responsible parties, recommending remedial measures and sanctions, reviewing land allocations and contract awards, and investigating related matters. The governor urges the panel to work diligently and encourages the public to provide any relevant information that can aid in the recovery of looted government assets.
Furthermore, Otti highlights that the establishment of the panel should serve as a reminder to officeholders that they will be held accountable for their actions upon the completion of their tenure. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of governance and encourages all officials to uphold integrity and avoid engaging in misconduct.
