The Abia State Government has refuted rumors circulating that it paid Governor Alex Otti a staggering N927 million in three months for meals, welfare benefits, and other expenses.
Online reports had previously surfaced, claiming that a budget performance report revealed the government had spent N927 million in three months on welfare packages, lunches and refreshments, allowances, and honoraria payment.
The papers state that between July and September of 2023, the Otti-led administration spent N305,400,000.00 on honoraria and sitting allowances for government personnel, while spending N223,389,889.84 on refreshments and meals.
Many Nigerians are wondering how such a large sum of money was squandered in just three months, which has led to controversy about the claim on social media.
In an interview, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor’s special adviser on media and publicity, claimed the information was inaccurate.
On the other hand, he pledged to respond in full to the widely circulated report via an internet forum.
