Otti dismisses allegations of funding IPOB, Obi’s tribunal with state funds
Abia state governor, Alex Otti, has denied allegations suggesting that state funds were being utilised to support the tribunal litigation of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
He also refuted claims of funding the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), either through state funds or personal finances.
Governor Otti has called upon security agency leaders to clarify the accusations and carry out comprehensive investigations and potential apprehension of those involved.
In response to various reports alleging that he was utilising state funds to support the Obi’s legal proceedings against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the IPOB in anticipation of the governorship election petition tribunal verdict on October 6, Otti, through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, called for a comprehensive investigation.
He urged President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to thoroughly examine the allegations made against the governor by the mentioned groups.
The Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma while addressing journalists in Umuahia, said that the government strongly and most respectfully made the demand for investigation because the allegations are weighty.
Ekeoma, who questioned the mortality of the group’s call for the delivery of the October 6 judgement outside the state said: “They went further to call for the governorship election judgement billed for 6th October 2023 not to be delivered in Abia because the Abia State government had allegedly concluded plans to intimidate the Justices to deliver judgement in favour of Governor Alex Otti or alternatively would ensure that the Judges would be killed if they fail to deliver judgement in favour of the Governor.”
Ekeoma alleged that the videos arose from two press briefings conducted by individuals suspected to have been hired by opposition elements who were defeated in the last governorship election in the state.
He added: “Governor Alex Otti’s position as Governor of Abia State is a product of a nationally celebrated Governorship election victory, hence we consider it a demeaning insult and a provocative blackmaill for a group of greedy hatchet men with zero stake in the Abia project to sit behind the microphone and spew gibberish that lowers the office of the Governor of Abia state while insulting the sensibilities of our people who have heaved a sigh of relief since the emergence of Governor Alex Otti.
“The hate, anger, bitterness and the trademark of terror contained in the text of the press conference and on the facial expression of the accusers showed a despicable design to subject the government and people of Abia state to public opprobrium.
“The two opposition parties that are in court against Governor Otti and who are suspected to be the brains behind these allegations know very well that they have terrible cases and that their suits would be thrown into the thrash bin on the 6th of October, hence the resort to this panic and desperate strategy of deceit and destabilisation.”
Ekeoma said that those who decided to play dirty politics capable of endangering Abia people should be exposed and punished for choosing the perfidious path that seeks to advance their selfish interest against the genuine interest of millions of innocent Abia people.
