Abia APP Candidate Slams N1.5 Trillion Spending Claims, Promises Tech-Driven Security Reform

The Action Peoples Party (APP) governorship candidate in Abia State, retired Major General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma, has declared that he would not govern through propaganda, while also raising concerns that the state has received approximately N1.5 trillion in federal allocations under the current administration with little to show for it in terms of tangible development.

Ijioma, who emerged as a consensus candidate at the party’s primary election held in Umuahia, described himself as a superior alternative for the people of Abia State, stating that his vision is to transform the state into a modern, just, and equitably governed entity anchored on responsible leadership. He pledged to build a secure, prosperous, and people-centred state guided by the rule of law, transparency, and economic empowerment.

While acknowledging President Tinubu’s efforts in increasing revenue flows to states, he took aim at certain economic policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, which he argued was done without adequate contingency plans to cushion its impact on ordinary Nigerians.

On the state of affairs in Abia, he argued that the current administration’s achievements are not proportionate to the level of funding it has received from the federal government, pointing to the N1.5 trillion allocation figure as evidence that more should have been delivered.

Insecurity, he said, remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the state, citing incidents of kidnapping and attacks on farmers in various parts of Abia.

He promised that his administration would take a technology-driven approach to tackling crime, including the deployment of an advanced security monitoring system capable of tracking criminal activities across the state in real time.

He vowed that no crime would go unresolved beyond 48 hours and that security, justice, and accountability would form the bedrock of his government.

He also pledged to eliminate checkpoints entirely across the state.

The APP candidate further promised to prioritise massive infrastructure development, address hunger, promote food production, and instil financial and physical discipline in governance.

He questioned the cost-effectiveness of projects carried out by the current state administration, citing what he described as an alarming N4.4 billion per kilometre cost for a road in Aba and a N28 billion price tag for the Omenuko bridge.

He called for greater transparency and public scrutiny in the awarding and execution of government contracts.

Ijioma concluded by arguing that despite the substantial federal funds flowing into the state, many residents continue to face significant economic hardship and that the true measure of governance lies not in public relations campaigns but in the real and felt improvement in people’s daily lives.