Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State and current Senator representing Abia North, recently made headlines by asserting that Governor Alex Otti has received more federal allocations in just four months than he (Kalu) did during his entire eight-year tenure from 1999 to 2007.
In a press conference at his Igbere residence, Kalu claimed, “The money Governor Alex Otti received in four months is what I received in eight years,” while dismissing Otti’s achievements as mere “repainting and rebuilding” of roads constructed under his own administration.
He further stated he hasn’t seen any “major new roads” or significant work from Otti, and announced his withdrawal of support for the governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
This narrative, however, conveniently ignores critical economic realities like inflation, currency devaluation, and the actual purchasing power of those funds.
Drawing from the insightful analysis by some economic experts on this issue , let’s dissect this claim and deliver a much-needed lecture on why nominal figures lie, but outcomes don’t.
The Fallacy of Comparing Nominal Allocations Without Context
When Kalu compares the raw amounts Otti receives today with what he got two decades ago, he overlooks the dramatic erosion of the naira’s value over time.
During Kalu’s era, the naira was far stronger against major currencies, inflation rates were comparatively lower, and construction costs—such as building roads—were a fraction of today’s prices.
For instance, public funds back then had significantly more purchasing power, allowing for greater impact per naira spent.
In contrast, under Otti’s administration, which began in 2023, Nigeria has faced skyrocketing inflation and a collapsed currency, exploding the costs of materials, labor, and infrastructure projects.
As some notable economic experts aptly put it: “During the era of Orji Uzor Kalu, the naira was stronger, inflation was lower, and roads were far cheaper to build. Public funds then had far more purchasing power than they do today.”
To illustrate this “lecture” in real terms, consider the exchange rate as a proxy for value. When Kalu assumed office in 1999, the naira traded at around ₦85-₦100 to the US dollar.
By the end of his term in 2007, it hovered around ₦125. Averaging that, his allocations were received when $1 equaled roughly ₦105. Fast-forward to 2026, with the naira now exceeding ₦1,500 to the dollar in many contexts, the real value of today’s allocations is diluted—meaning Otti’s funds buy far less than Kalu’s did, even if the nominal figures appear larger.
In essence, Kalu might have effectively received 10-14 times more in real purchasing power during his tenure, adjusted for inflation and devaluation.
Yet, he boasts of “better results” without accounting for this disparity. Senator, this isn’t a fair comparison—it’s selective amnesia.
Visible Results Amid Economic Headwinds: A Verdict on Past Governance
The economic analysis fact drives home the point that under Alex Otti, “construction costs have exploded due to inflation and currency collapse yet results are visible within months.”
Indeed, despite these challenges, Otti’s administration has delivered tangible infrastructure improvements, including road reconstructions that have been praised for their quality and speed.
Kalu derides these as mere “repainting,” but if roads built during his time now require full rebuilding after less than two decades, that speaks volumes about their original quality, durability, and value for money. As rightly stated: “If roads built years ago now need ‘rebuilding,’ that is not repentance by a successor; it is a verdict on quality, value for money, and governance at the time they were first built.”
This isn’t just about roads—it’s a broader indictment of how funds were managed then versus now.
Kalu’s administration claimed achievements like free education and healthcare, but persistent issues like salary arrears and decaying infrastructure persisted long after he left office.
Otti, operating in a tougher economic climate with higher costs, has not only addressed backlogs but also driven visible progress, including economic growth indicators like a 10% GDP increase and 8% poverty reduction in Abia, attributed to efficient use of increased allocations.
Senator Kalu, if your eight years yielded “better results” with supposedly less money (in nominal terms), why are we still fixing the foundations you laid? Outcomes don’t lie—nominal figures do.
A Lesson in Accountability: Focus on What Was Done, Not Just What Was Received
To Senator Kalu: This claim reeks of political maneuvering ahead of 2027, especially as you pivot to rally for the APC while admitting personal friendship with Otti but withdrawing electoral support.
It’s easy to fire back at critics by touting raw numbers, but true leadership demands honesty about economic context.
As the title encapsulates: “It’s Not the Money Then or Now—It’s What Was Done With It.”
Your tenure benefited from a more stable economy, yet the need for widespread “rebuilding” today questions the sustainability of those investments.
Otti’s rapid, visible deliverables—despite inflated costs—highlight efficient governance, not just larger inflows from federal reforms under President Tinubu.
In reply, Senator, let’s move beyond partisan jabs and embrace transparency.
Abians deserve leaders who prioritize real value over rhetoric. If you’re receiving “insults” for your APC affiliation, as you claim, perhaps it’s time to reflect on why comparisons like yours invite scrutiny.
The people aren’t forgetting the past—they’re demanding better from the present. Nominal figures may impress in soundbites, but lasting outcomes build legacies.
Pamela O. writes from Umuahia.
