The Abia State Government has refuted claims that its current Government House in Umuahia is a rented property, dismissing the allegations as false while announcing plans to convert the new proposed government building into a luxury hotel. Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu addressed the controversy during a media tour of the site, accusing the previous administration of mismanagement and misrepresenting the status of the facility.
Kanu clarified that the current Government House was fully acquired by the state, countering rumors that it was leased. “The narrative of a rented Government House was fabricated to justify the diversion of public funds,” he stated, alleging former officials paid themselves fictitious rent from state coffers. The commissioner revealed plans to transform the proposed Government House at Ogurube Layout into a 5-star hotel, aimed at boosting tourism and hospitality, while a new functional governor’s office and residence will be constructed within the existing complex.
Criticizing the previous administration’s handling of the project, Kanu described the partially completed structure as unsafe and uninhabitable. “The building is a hollow shell—unfinished floors, exposed walls, and no essential amenities. Only one floor was completed, and even that lacks basic functionality,” he said, highlighting risks such as an uninstalled elevator and incomplete infrastructure. He accused former leaders of squandering resources on a “gigantic, useless edifice” and vowed the current administration would prioritize accountability.
The commissioner also rebuked former Commissioner John Okiyi Kalu for spreading what he termed “blatant lies” about the project, inviting journalists to inspect the site and verify the claims independently. Kanu reaffirmed Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, stating, “Governor Otti will not tolerate wasteful spending or misuse of public funds.” He further dismissed rumors of Otti defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting the governor remains loyal to the Labour Party.
