Anthony Agbazuere, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has revealed that traditional rulers in Abia State were paid as little as ₦7,000 monthly during the previous administration.
Speaking during the Ehi La Uguru Day celebration on Tuesday, Agbazuere disclosed that only a few monarchs received ₦21,000 monthly before the current administration led by Governor Alex Otti took office.
He commended the new administration for significantly increasing the stipend to ₦250,000 monthly, adding that Governor Otti’s leadership has demonstrated capacity and deserves support.
“Before Governor Alex Otti came on board, traditional rulers were receiving ₦7,000, while a few others got ₦21,000. But he has increased it to ₦250,000 monthly. He has shown capacity and deserves our support,” Agbazuere said.
Agbazuere criticized the Ikpeazu administration for abandoning the Abia Airport project and praised Otti for collaborating with the federal government to establish an international airport in the state. He expressed disbelief over claims that traditional rulers had advised against the airport’s construction.
“An airport project was already approved, and someone turned around to say traditional rulers told him not to proceed. I don’t understand,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia, Eric Ikwuagwu, dismissed Agbazuere’s statements. He described the former Chief of Staff, now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as “a loose cannon praying for political revival.”
