The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has issued a challenge to the State government, urging them to make public the names and bank account details of the recently found ghost workers in the state’s public service.

The opposition party contends that only by publishing such information can they be convinced of the authenticity of these discoveries.

Elder Amah Abraham, the Vice Chairman of the Abia PDP, made this challenge on Tuesday evening. He expressed skepticism towards the news that 2,300 ghost workers were uncovered in the state’s civil service, resulting in N220 million in savings. Abraham accused Governor Alex Otti and his party, the LP, of using the story to gain public sympathy and divert attention away from the crucial matters of governance.

His statement read in part, “The purported discovery of ghost workers without accompanying proof of the names and account numbers of the ghost beneficiaries is not only childish but a plot that leads to nowhere. 

“Abia PDP challenges Governor Alex Otti and his team of discoverers to publish the names of the over 2000 ghost workers with their BVN numbers, addresses and other details and ministries, departments and agencies of the government that purportedly employed them; to shame them and possibly bring the culprits to justice.” 

As per Abraham’s statement, during the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, no one received payments in cash. According to him, all payments were made through dedicated bank accounts, using the Bank Verification Number and other personal information.

Upon attempting to reach Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otti, for comments, calls to his phone went unanswered. Likewise, a WhatsApp message sent to him remained unanswered at the time of reporting.

However, a prominent member of the Labour Party, who wished to remain anonymous, alleged that the PDP was merely burdened with self-imposed guilt. This LP member suggested that the Abia opposition party should allow Governor Otti to eliminate ghost workers from the State’s civil service system.