NEWS
Media Chat Fallout: Ferdinand Ekeoma Meets Don Media Journalist, Chika Nwabueze as His Community Backlash Over ‘Confrontation’ With Governor Otti Sparks Reactions
By @TheKELVINATOR, The Eyes Opener News | March 05, 2026
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, recently received in his office at Government House a journalist with Don Media Group, Mr. Chika Nwabueze, following the controversy that trailed the last media chat with Governor Alex Otti.
The meeting, which was described as cordial and engaging, came amid reports that certain opposition figures were attempting to exploit the outcome of the media chat to score political points against the Governor.
Recounting how the meeting came about, Mr. Ekeoma disclosed that he was first contacted by a senior acquaintance and investor in the state who conveyed Nwabueze’s desire to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to Mr. Ekeoma, he wrote:
“I had received a call a night before the visit from a senior friend who is one of the biggest investors in the state. He informed me of Citizen Nwabueze’s request to meet with me, explaining that Mr. Nwabueze is angry that some opposition elements were trying to use his name to score cheap political point against Governor Otti, a man he has so much respect for, because of what transpired during the last Media Chat.
“Shortly after, I got a call from Mr. Nwabueze himself. We discussed and agreed to meet in my office in Government House. We have always had a very good relationship, and of course, the meeting was a fantastic one.”
During the interaction, Ekeoma said he used the opportunity to reiterate Governor Otti’s strong commitment to democratic principles, particularly the protection of free speech and open engagement with the media.
He noted that the Governor deliberately avoided imposing restrictions on journalists participating in the media chat and insisted that questions should neither be scripted nor censored.
“I reassured him of Governor Otti’s strong belief in free speech, a belief that informed his decision not to restrict any journalist or media platform from being part of the media Chat, and aslo insisting that questions and contributions should not be stage-managed or censored.
“I told him that a lot of people had even suggested that the number of journalists that attend the media chat should be reduced, but that the Governor was of the opinion that reducing it at this point might look like some persons are being shut out, rather he advised that the quality of engagements should be elevated to policy issues.”
However, the highlight of the meeting came when Nwabueze shared two revelations that left the Governor’s media aide amused.
According to Ekeoma, Nwabueze recalled his own role in the political shift that led to the rejection of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State.
“Mr. Nwabueze told me a lot of things that were gladdening, but there were two revelations from him that got me laughing loudly.
“One, he told me that he was one of those who ensured that the PDP was declared “Persona non grata” in Abia because of what they did to Abians.”
Ekeoma added that the journalist’s position reflected the wider sentiment among many Abians who had grown weary of the former ruling party.
“Mr. Nwabueze was correct, of course that was the reason my friend Uche Aguoru and others ran to the APC to continue their propaganda after their PDP Shadow Government nonsense failed woefully.”
But the most dramatic part of the conversation, according to Ekeoma, was Nwabueze’s account of the reaction from members of his own community after the media chat.
In a development that reportedly surprised the journalist, people from his hometown, who previously held him in high regard, strongly criticized him for what they perceived as confronting Governor Otti during the media engagement.
“Two and probably the most interesting was that, while the opposition and some other persons were declaring support for him, his own Community people who hitherto held him very high literally roasted him alive this time around for daring to “confront” their Governor, Dr. Alex Otti. He said that his attempts to even explain himself fell on deaf ears and attributed it to the giant strides of the Governor in his community. I couldn’t stop laughing.”
The episode, according to observers, underscores the growing grassroots support for Governor Otti in many communities across Abia State, where residents are increasingly vocal in defending the administration’s policies and developmental strides.
Ekeoma further described Nwabueze as a respected professional in the media industry who remains enthusiastic about the transformation taking place in the state, particularly in Umuahia.
“Mr. Nwabueze is a seasoned Journalist and a jolly good fellow who is excited that, for the first time, Umuahia where he hails from is experiencing visible and impactful transformation courtesy of Governor Alex Otti.”