The Abians for Sustenance and Good Governance (ASGG) has condemned the recent allegations made by the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Right Honourable Ben Kalu, against the Abia State government.
The group described the allegations as “heinous” and “capable of igniting avoidable conflagration.”
At a press conference held in Umuahia on Thursday, the group’s leader, Comrade Daniel Ubanu, said the allegations were motivated by selfish political ambitions and aimed at destabilizing the state government.
“We are not taking sides with either of the parties, but we are taking sides with history and our conscience,” he said.
Ubani noted that the Abia State government has given a good account of itself in a very transparent and accountable manner, with evidence of superlative performance.
He cited the recruitment of over 5,000 teachers, the training and equipping of 1,359 young Abians in cutting-edge technology, and the annihilation of Abia State debt from N138 billion to N66 billion.
The group leader also dismissed the Deputy Speaker’s claim that Abia State appropriates an average of N38 billion every 28 days, saying the figure was “imaginary” and “malicious.”
According to him, the total accruals to Abia State in the last seven months were N98.12 billion, which translates to a monthly average of N14 billion.
Ubani urged all political actors to shield their swords and not derail the government, saying that Abia State is not very particular about political parties, but good governance and transparency.
“Let all political combatants therefore shield their swords for the moment in order not to derail the government, and if they must politic now, let it not be at the expense of the peace and stability that define the Abia of today,” he said.
The group also condemned the Deputy Speaker’s attempt to set up the governor against the president, saying it was “very unpatriotic” and “capable of igniting avoidable conflagration.”
“A situation where supposed statesmen would deliberately fund the ambiance of conflict between the state government and the presidency in furtherance of their selfish political ambitions at the expense of the peace and stability of Abia should be condemned, and thereby condemned,” Ubani said.
The ASGG leader called on the press to be vigilant and ensure that they do not become tools for politicians to achieve their selfish ambitions.
“As journalists, you should be at the vanguard of speaking truth to power,” he said.
THE WHISTLER reports that the ASGG has vowed to continue sensitizing and conscientizing the people of Abia State on the need for good governance and transparency.
