Good Governance: Otti Urged to Embrace Transparency, Extend Olive Branch to Ikpeazu, Former Commissioner Nwanoruo

By: Chuks Ogbu

The dialogue surrounding good governance and sustainable development in Abia State gained fresh momentum following an exclusive interview between the former Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Godswill Nwanoruo, and renowned media personality Chuks Ogbu.

Speaking on current political and infrastructural realities, Hon. Nwanoruo highlighted the foundational legacies of the previous administration under Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, while offering direct recommendations to the incumbent Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, on how to navigate governance transparently and foster state unity.

Reflecting on his time serving under the Ikpeazu administration, Nwanoruo asserted that the developmental strides witnessed in Abia State today did not happen in a vacuum. He maintained that the immediate past administration successfully laid the groundwork upon which Governor Alex Otti’s government is currently building.

Nwanoruo cited crucial public infrastructure projects, economic roadmaps, and healthcare initiatives including major facilities like the Abia Multi-Specialist Hospital as structural platforms built by Ikpeazu to elevate the state’s socio-economic standing. According to the former commissioner, acknowledging these preceding efforts is vital for maintaining administrative continuity and giving honor where it is due.

A major highlight of the exclusive interview focused on the ongoing advocacy for absolute transparency in managing state funds. Hon. Nwanoruo urged Governor Otti to adopt an open-door policy regarding Abia State’s financial inflows, specifically pointing out that the state’s statutory monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have swelled significantly.Nwanoruo stated that federal allocations entering Abia now drop in “multiple tens of billions of Naira monthly.” Given these unprecedented revenue streams, he stressed that ordinary Abians deserve to be fully fed with detailed financial reports

To ensure the political stability and forward progress of Abia State, Hon. Nwanoruo passionately advised Governor Otti to look past political rivalries and extend an olive branch to his predecessor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.Describing the former governor as a brother and a stakeholder with invaluable executive experience, Nwanoruo emphasized that Dr. Ikpeazu remains entirely ready and willing to assist the current government. He argued that a collaborative approach, rather than continuous political friction, is the ultimate key to driving Abia State forward sustainably.