03/09/2025
Sir Chikwe Udensi Challenges Abia Government on Transparency, Says Governance Must Be Rooted In Truth |
Interpol systems consultant and renowned security expert, Sir Chikwe Udensi, has raised fresh concerns over transparency and accountability in the governance of Abia State, urging Governor Alex Otti’s administration to open its financial records to public scrutiny.
Speaking in a no-holds-barred exclusive interview on Open Parliament, a flagship current affairs program on Family Love 99.9 FM Umuahia, Udensi—who joined the program virtually from Paris, France, where he is on vacation—commended infrastructural progress under Governor Otti, but faulted the state government’s handling of public funds and recordkeeping.
“There’s been some improvement in areas like infrastructure and salary payments, yes. But what we’re demanding now is truth. Transparency. Accountability. Public funds must be properly accounted for,” Udensi stated.
Udensi, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Fraud Investigators and Vice President of the International Security Association, cited conflicting figures in Abia State’s budget performance reports.
According to him, there is no alignment between claims made by the Governor and figures published by state officials. He referenced discrepancies in the reported ₦54 billion education renovation project, expressing concern that such inconsistencies signal a potential lack of due process.
“When a government announces the clearing of pension backlogs but pensioners still protest, or says ₦54 billion was used for school renovations yet we can’t find the projects—those are red flags,” he said.
In a major revelation, Udensi announced that his legal representatives have served formal Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary to the State Government, and Accountant General of Abia State, demanding detailed records of state expenditures—especially funds disbursed to local governments.
He warned that failure to comply within seven days will result in a court action, as he plans to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the state to produce the requested documents.
“This is not political. I am using legal means to demand financial transparency. If the government has nothing to hide, it should make the records public,” Udensi emphasized.
Reacting to a recent press release by Governor Otti’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, who described Udensi’s claims as “mischievous and politically motivated,” the Interpol consultant dismissed the statement, calling it “childish and unworthy of serious response.”
“I won’t respond to Ekeoma. He’s not in my class. If this is how government wants to respond to serious issues, then it’s unfortunate,” Udensi said.
He further stated that his media team would issue a comprehensive response to the government’s “personal attacks and propaganda.”
In a move many have described as unprecedented, Sir Udensi said he would personally fund a professional forensic audit of Abia State’s public finances if the government fails to meet the FOI deadline.
He stressed that his action is not politically driven but inspired by a sense of duty to the people of Abia.
“Governance is not about attacking critics with insults. It’s about facts. Leadership must be humble. Calling those who question you ‘fools’ or ‘careless’ is not the way forward,” he said in reference to recent reactions from government allies.
Closing the interview, Udensi sent a direct message to Governor Alex Otti:
“Be wary of those who praise you today; they’ll sacrifice you tomorrow. Just do what is right, and posterity will judge you well.”
He assured listeners that upon his return to Nigeria, he would intensify his advocacy for responsible leadership, fiscal openness, and people-centered governance.
