Following the allegations of financial impropriety and security threats made against the present administration of Governor Alex Otti, believed to have been orchestrated by opposition elements, the Abia State Government has called for immediate investigation with a view to bringing culprits to book.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma made the call on Tuesday while briefing Journalists at Government House Umuahia.
Recall that videos arising from two press briefings conducted by individuals suspected to have been hired by the opposition had alleged that the four month old government of Dr Otti was sponsoring the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cause terror in the state.
Another video by the opposition had also alleged that the Abia state Governor was using state funds to sponsor the litigation of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the past presidential election, Mr Peter Obi.
The opposition had further called for the Governorship election judgement billed for 6th October 2023 not to be delivered in Abia, alleging that the state government had concluded plans to intimidate the Justices to deliver judgement in favour of Governor Otti or would ensure that the Judges would be killed if they fail to deliver judgement in favour of the Governor.
But in his reaction, the Governor’s aide called on President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Army staff, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police to use their good offices to cause immediate and thorough investigations into the allegations with a view to bringing the culprits to face the full weight of the law.
Ekeoma said the allegations were “weighty and have the propensity to cause disaffection, insecurity, breakdown of law and order and even endanger the lives and property of innocent citizens”.
He said; “The allegations made in these press conferences are marked by hatred, anger, bitterness, and a propensity for terror, all of which threaten to tarnish the image of the government and people of Abia State.
“The government believes these allegations are part of a desperate strategy by opposition parties with questionable legal cases, who seek to undermine the peace and progress of the state for their selfish interests”.
Ekeoma who called for a thorough investigation into the allegations to determine their veracity urged the organizers of the press conferences to cooperate with security agencies by providing additional information to facilitate a comprehensive investigation that could lead to the identification and arrest of those responsible.
