Abia Govt Condemns Alleged Smear Campaign Against Governor Otti, Warns Opposition To Desist

The Abia State Government has strongly condemned what it described as a “vicious smear campaign” allegedly being coordinated by former Commissioner for Information, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu, against Governor Alex Otti.

In a statement issued on Sunday, October 26, 2025, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the government said it was aware of a leaked screenshot circulating on social media purportedly showing Mr. Okiyi Kalu instructing his “data boys and e-rats” in a private platform named War Room to launch coordinated attacks on Governor Otti.

According to the statement, the alleged campaign aims to “stoke division” between Governor Otti and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to destabilize the existing cordial working relationship between Abia State and the Federal Government.

The government described the move as a “reckless display of desperation” by elements of the opposition, accusing them of resorting to “falsehood, misinformation, and divisive politics” due to a lack of credible ideas or alternative vision for Abia’s progress.

“The Abia opposition’s daily resort to character assassination and fake news to turn the Federal Government against Governor Otti and the Abia State Government is a clear testament to their desperation to return to power by any means,” the statement read.

Governor Otti, the statement reaffirmed, remains focused on his administration’s commitment to the welfare, development, and prosperity of Abians. It also expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support and approvals of the state’s requests — including the upgrading of the proposed airstrip to an airport and permission to reconstruct critical federal roads across Abia.

“These approvals demonstrate the strong partnership between Governor Otti and President Tinubu, which will continue to yield benefits for the people of Abia and Nigeria at large,” the government said.

The statement concluded with a stern warning to the opposition and the former commissioner to desist from any further attempts to sow discord, urging citizens to remain vigilant and reject what it called the “toxic politics” of misinformation and division.