The Abia Interest Association (A.B.I.A.), an APC-backed pressure group, has petitioned major world powers to impose a travel ban on Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
The group accused the Labour Party governor of mismanaging over ₦78 billion in public funds between 2023 and 2025.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, convener Barrister Eze Chikamnayo alleged that Otti failed to account for ₦54 billion claimed to have been spent on renovating 51 “smart schools” in 2024.
He said most schools in Abia remain in terrible condition despite huge allocations.
According to him, the governor has attempted to pass off federal projects under the Universal Basic Education scheme as his administration’s work.
“Over 95 per cent of Abia schools still lack fences, learning materials, and functional classrooms.
The situation completely contradicts the state’s budgetary claims,” Chikamnayo stated.
The petition was reportedly forwarded to the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, the European Union, and the African Union.
The association asked the countries to deny Governor Otti entry until he provides full accountability.
The group also accused Otti of using frequent foreign trips to shield himself from scrutiny at home.
“We have asked these governments to stop him from travelling until he explains where the billions allocated to education projects have gone,” Chikamnayo added.
A.B.I.A further alleged that the Labour Party-led government has misrepresented several federal road projects as state-funded, calling the move a deception against Abia citizens.
“This scandal is about the future of Abia’s children. Corruption in education robs them of their rights and opportunities,” the group declared.
This is not the first time Nigerian governors have faced calls for sanctions.
Earlier in September, the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN) petitioned the US and UK to impose a travel ban on Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal over insecurity and alleged complicity in banditry.
Governor Otti has yet to respond to the fresh allegations as pressure mounts both locally and internationally.
Analysts say the case could trigger a wider debate about accountability in state governance and the use of foreign travel bans as a political weapon in Nigeria.