Abia State Government Is Only Afraid Of Looking In The Mirror

ONN Abia 17.06.2025

PRESS RELEASE

Our attention has been drawn to a press release endorsed by Abia State Government led by Dr Alex Otti with the caption: “GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS UNLAWFUL POLITICAL CAMPAIGN BY FORMER GOVERNOR IKPEAZU…CALLS FOR CALM AMIDST PROVOCATIONS,” and wish to state that while we do not expect former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to respond to the hypocritical publication, it is important for us to state that the government is only scared of what they see in their political mirror.

That a government headed by Alex Otti who held a political rally at Enyimba Stadium on the same day, 12th June 2025, along with a failed 'Two Million-Man March' is the one ranting about a “politically charged gathering” and violation of “constitutional provisions and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines regulating political campaigns in Nigeria,” is a clear indication of leadership dementia occasioned by congenital hypocrisy that appears to have afflicted the current occupants of Umuehim Nvosi New Government House.

For the avoidance of doubt, former political appointees and associates of the 4th Executive Governor of Abia State, HE Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, converged on his country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA on June 12th 2025 (Democracy Day), to thank him for graciously appointing them into various offices to serve with him while he was governor. Those in attendance included individuals of diverse political and professional persuasions including members of PDP, APC and other political parties in Nigeria. Indeed, the current Chairman of Obingwa Local Government, Mr Maxwell Nwadike, was also in attendance at the event.

Furthermore, presentations made by those who spoke at the gathering revolved around appreciation, gratitude and calls for brotherhood to confront future socio-political challenges. Not even a single speaker called for a vote for any political party as would have happened during a political campaign event and we challenge the Government to provide proofs to the contrary.

In contrast, Governor Alex Otti who has openly sought and received many political endorsements for 2027 election from some of the same notorious political merchants he hitherto called all sorts of names and vowed not to associate with, was at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, on the same day, to receive what his spokesman described as “campaign coaster vehicle” and participate in a failed 'Two Million-Man March Road Show' organised by the Resilient Residents of Aba, in Aba the famous Enyimba City and Commercial nerve centre of the South-East," a very poorly attended event that didn’t record up to 500 persons.

If not for congenital hypocrisy, how dare Alex Otti and his minions complain about a private meeting in someone’s private house which is fully guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), whereas they took over a stadium for a political rally and failed political street march?

If indeed anyone has breached any electoral law and is guilty of incitement, we wish to call on security agencies in the state and INEC to hold Governor Alex Otti as guilty and warn him to cease and desist from such actions henceforth.

May we also remind Alex Otti that elections are either lost or won as there are no middle grounds. He serially lost elections in 2015 and 2019 to Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and if he won in 2023, he must see it as God’s benevolence only. While we understand his abiding fixation and bitterness towards Dr Ikpeazu who defeated him twice, he should learn to focus on delivering verifiable dividends of democracy rather than attempting to gaslight individuals and opposition political parties in Abia State.

No amount of real or attempted intimidation will stop citizens of Abia State, including those in opposition political parties, from exercising their constitutional freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly. Not even a wanna-be Emperor of Nvosi can achieve that.

Enough should be enough!!!

Signed on the 17th of June 2025:

1. Barr Emeka Enwereji

2. Chief Uche Aguoru

3. Barr Olugu Kalu Ugba

4. Mazi Enyinnaya Appolos

5. Chief Jude Udeachara

6. Chief Peter Aguomba

7. Chief John Okiyi Kalu

8. Honorable Ken Onochie Madubuike

FOR: Conveners of Courtesy Visit To HE Okezie Ikpeazu on June 12, 2025