“Pensioners in Abia are not forgotten; they are being paid. Their arrears are not ignored; they are being cleared. The government is not inactive; it is moving fast, methodically, and in the public interest. Let us continue to hold our leaders accountable—but let us also be fair, factual, and focused on progress. Constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democracy”
Dear Mr Moses A. Orji,
I read with interest and a sense of responsibility your open letter, dated August 2025 entitled “GOV. OTTI AND THE PENSION CONUNDRUM IN ABIA”, which you addressed to Mr Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election.
Your letter reflected a genuine concern for the welfare of pensioners in Abia State, However, it is equally important that concerns of such weight are accompanied by verified facts and fair analysis. In the spirit of constructive dialogue and democratic accountability, I write to offer a fact-based and respectful rebuttal to the assertions you made against Gov. Alex Otti and his administration.
On the welfare of Abia pensioners: You stated that pensioners in Abia State have continued to suffer under the Otti’s administration, and that no concrete steps have been taken to alleviate their plight. This is not only inaccurate but also unfair to the enormous work that has been undertaken in just two years of his leadership.
In reality, the administration of Gov. Otti has cleared multiple years of pension arrears, a monumental step that was widely acknowledged by stakeholders and civil society organisations.
Specifically: In March 2024, the governor launched the long-awaited payment of outstanding pension arrears, announcing it himself during a town hall meeting with pensioners. The move followed a rigorous but necessary biometric verification and authentication process designed to eliminate fraud, ghost beneficiaries, and duplicate records.
By May 2025, Gov. Otti confirmed that over ₦40 billion had been paid in salary and pension arrears—funds owed not by his administration, but by several past governments.
He further stated that pensions are now being paid in full and consistently by the 28th of every month, thereby institutionalizing dignity and financial predictability for retirees.
This effort is documented and widely reported in credible national media platforms, including The Guardian, Premium Times, BusinessDay, and the Punch Newspapers.
It is also worth emphasising that prior to the emergence of this administration, pension payments in Abia were sporadic, partial, and opaque. That system has now been replaced with a data-backed, transparent structure – a critical foundation for sustainable pension management.
On Allegations of Coercion and Misleading the Public: You alleged that the governor attempted to “hoodwink” pensioners into forfeiting their arrears, and that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed under duress. While one faction of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has raised concerns about the MoU, it is important to present the full picture:
A significant number of pensioners, under the banner of Concerned Abia Pensioners, publicly commended Governor Otti and tendered an apology on behalf of those who, in their words, misrepresented the administration’s efforts.
Their appeal included a request that the government consider a structured payment plan for outstanding gratuities, acknowledging that the administration had indeed made impressive progress on monthly pensions and historical arrears.
It must also be noted that Gov. Otti issued a public apology in December 2023 for not meeting his deadline to clear all arrears by year-end, explaining that actual debts inherited were twice the estimated amount due to fraudulent records uncovered during the audit process.
These events show not a lack of empathy, but an administration committed to due process, integrity, and fiscal responsibility, even while dealing with the consequences of years of financial mismanagement by predecessors.
On Fiscal Responsibility and Priorities:
You referenced the govecrnor’s travels and questioned the state’s priorities. Respectfully, this line of criticism borders on sensationalism. Many of Gov. Otti’s foreign engagements, particularly those in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany, have been investment-focused missions aimed at attracting foreign direct investments, fostering trade partnerships, and acquiring technical support in infrastructure, ICT, and agribusiness.
Indeed, recent collaborations with development partners, such as the African Development Bank, World Bank, and private sector investors are already yielded tangible outcomes, including rural road rehabilitation, digital infrastructure upgrades, and education-sector interventions.
These are not “leisure trips” as was the trend with the past administrations; they are part of an evidence-based development strategy to transform Abia into a modern, investor-friendly state.
On Minimum Wage Implementation and Use of FAAC Inflows:
Your claim that Abia is one of eight states yet to implement the new minimum wage is a misrepresentation of the facts. While negotiations on the new national minimum wage were still ongoing at the federal level as at August 2025, the Abia State Government had already increased workers’ salaries and commenced the implementation of wage improvements in critical sectors.
Moreover, regarding FAAC inflows, it is true that states now receive higher revenues due to the removal of fuel subsidies. However, Gov. Otti has publicly stated that these funds have been prudently utilised to pay off inherited debts, revamp public infrastructure, and launch critical capital projects. To cite a few examples: Over 130 roads across the state are currently under construction or rehabilitation.
A smart school model has been introduced, with pilot projects undergoing construction.
The Ariaria flood control project – a decades-old problem – is now being tackled through a multi-agency collaboration.
On Mr Peter Obi’s Role and Silence:
It is worth noting that while Mr Peter Obi remains the National Leader of the Labour Party, Gov. Alex Otti was democratically elected by the people of Abia and governs as an independent-minded public servant. Mr Obi has repeatedly stated that Labour Party governors are free to operate within the framework of constitutional autonomy and public accountability.
That said, there is no record of Mr. Obi condoning incompetence or maladministration anywhere, nor has he hesitated to commend or critique actions based on facts, not affiliations.
Mr Orji, while your letter may have stemmed from a sincere place, it unfortunately misrepresents the efforts of a government that inherited a broken system and is courageously rebuilding it with measurable results.
Pensioners in Abia are not forgotten; they are being paid. Their arrears are not ignored; they are being cleared. The government is not inactive; it is moving fast, methodically, and in the public interest.
Let us continue to hold our leaders accountable—but let us also be fair, factual, and focused on progress. Constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democracy, but it must be accompanied by evidence, perspective, and truth.
Thank you for your attention.
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu: Journalist and
Public Affairs Analyst, Umuahia Abia State.
