Abia State Commissioner for information, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo has denied the claims in some quarters that the Government House of the State is still on rent.
This is even as he has declared that the facility was totally acquired by a previous administration in the State.
The Commissioner stated these while speaking to News Echo on the matter, insisting that no individual or group is owed a dime for the old government house buildings in Umuahia.

Chikamnayo, who spoke through the phone, blamed the enemies of Abia State for spreading false rumours which according to him, were aimed at tarnishing the image of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s government.
He explained that through a special government edict, a previous administration in the State acquired and paid the amount for a few buildings owned by individuals around the government house area while more structures had since been erected by successive administrations of Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu.

He cautioned the critics of Okezie Ikpeazu government to be armed with facts before going public with their claims.
According to him, “I am a lawyer and the Commissioner for information. How can people claim that a land which belongs to the government is now on rent. Unknown to enemies of this government, the property in question was acquired by a government edict, so the government house is not on rent. Enemies of this government are behind this falsehood.”

He continued, “Come to think of it, lands belong to the government. The government issues lands to people. How can people claim that the landlord is on rent for a property he owns?”, he asked.
He assured that apart from the old government house buildings, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was also set to complete the modern government house started by his predecessor.

Chikamnayo promised to provide the reporter with more facts about the Government House facility at an appointed date.
However, he could not be available on the appointed date to provide the details even after several phone calls and text messages by the News Echo reporter.
At the ministry of information, State secretariat, the commissioner was also not on seat on Tuesday when the reporter checked on him as a staff of the ministry said his boss was not on seat.

Before now, many critics of the Abia State government, especially the members of the All Progressive Congress (APC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) among others had declared that the Abia seat of power allegedly belonged to private individuals who raked in millions of naira from rent.
However, a source at State government house who spoke under anonymity, backed the Commissioner for information on the acquisition of the said property by Abia State government.

The government house official, however, could not reveal the particular administration of the State which took the bold step.
According to him, “Not all buildings in the old government house belonged to private individuals. Some properties which now house the government house press, government house clinic and some other offices were all inherited from old Imo State which earlier before, inherited them from old Eastern Nigeria government.

“Some of the buildings you see inside this government house have been government properties. They were constructed by the government of old Eastern Nigeria. They later served as Judges’ quarters, dentistry, primary school and government field used for match past during Independent Day celebrations and Children’s Day. A few of them which were owned by one or two individuals had since been bought and fully paid for.”
“All I can tell you is that a few buildings and some undeveloped lands which were owned by two different families had long been acquired by the State government. They are not on rent”, said the government house staff.

Meanwhile, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has always assured Abians that his administration would complete the new government house structure before the end of his tenure in 2023.
The Governor gave the assurance when he visited the new government house site in Umuahia to inspect the progress of works in the high profile project. He expressed satisfaction at the level of works done so far and promised to provide the contractors with the needed logistics .
Accompanied on the inspection by the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedum Orji, contractors and other senior government officials, the Governor described the completion of the new government seat of power as very dear to his administration.
He further noted that the project was started by the administration of Chief Theodore Orji, now Senator representing Abia Central in the National Assembly.

https://www.newsecho.com.ng/news/retrospect-abia-govt-house-not-on-rent-information-commissioner/

The stuff they posted that Abia is on rent says otherwise but ofcourse, they ignored it cause it does not suit their purpose.

That the state govt is building a new government house does not mean they are living in a rented builing

The new government house is beautiful though. Okezie Ikpeazu did some good jobs but his critics overwhelmed his media team.

As much as it bad, Aso rock also pays rent.

https://saharareporters.com/2021/10/14/busted-buhari-has-earmarked-n450million-rent-presidential-villa-seven-years

SmartPolician:
The new government house is beautiful though. Okezie Ikpeazu did some good jobs but his critics overwhelmed his media team.

He did not invest in media and most of his projects that could've been completed took too long and to crown it all, he was owing salaries.

there was no way he would not have lost the media war

Is like your dad just decided to let you use phone for the first time, and unfortunately you are posting rubbish in public forum.

Thanksful:
As much as it bad, Aso rock also pays rent.

https://saharareporters.com/2021/10/14/busted-buhari-has-earmarked-n450million-rent-presidential-villa-seven-years

yarimo:
Is like your dad just decided to let you use phone for the first time, and unfortunately you are posting rubbish in public forum.

E b like your brain nah sperm full am