A group under the aegis of The United Abia Artistes and Patriots (UAAP) has issued a stern warning, threatening legal action against any group or organization involved in defaming Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
Convener of the Group, Amb. Dr. Osita Offor who gave the warning on Wednesday, during a press briefing organized by the group in Umuahia asserted its commitment to using all available legal avenues to deal decisively with those spreading false information with the intent of inciting disorder within the state.
The warning is coming on the heels of several allegations that Governor Alex Otti is sponsoring the election litigations of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, with state government’s funds.
But the group while dismissing the claim as false and baseless, criticized Governor Otti’s accusers for their lack of research and attempt to incite controversy, and pointed out that Peter Obi is financially capable of handling his legal expenses.
Offor voiced disappointment with the current state of opposition politics in Abia State, stating that it primarily consists of spreading unfounded allegations and hurling insults at the state’s leadership.
He noted that the organization is dedicated to promoting democracy and civil rights and acknowledged the importance of opposition as a fundamental aspect of democracy and added that the organization, “will stand by any group, party or individuals who are carrying out opposition activities within the tenet of democracy.
“But we will not allow any group of charlatans to allege what they cannot prove and get away with it. We will not”, Offor further warned.
He however emphasized that opposition should be about providing alternative ideas and constructive criticism based on facts and figures, rather than resorting to negative propaganda.
“We have recently observed the desperate efforts by some individuals under the guise of opposition, who are trying to drag the name of Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR to the mud with different kinds of propaganda, half-truths and complete falsehood.
“As an organization that promotes democracy and civil rights as one of its core mandates, United Abia Artistes and Patriots (UAAP) understands that opposition is one of the basic requisites of democracy and must be encouraged by all means.
“But it is also important we state that opposition does not mean generating negative propaganda, publishing half-truths and even promoting complete falsehood. Opposition means providing alternative ideas and criticizing with facts and figures just as Governor Alex Otti was doing when he was in opposition.
“It is disappointing that all we see the opposition do in Abia State is peddling cheap lies and hurling insults on the leadership of the state and when government officials reply in the same vein, they will start crying blue murder”, he stated.
Offor commended Governor Otti for his giant strides in the administration of the state and pledged the support of the group to the present administration amidst what he described as “desperate efforts by some individuals under the guise of opposition” to tarnish his name with propaganda, half-truths, and outright falsehoods”.
