NEWS
Abia State Govt Dismisses Charles Ogbonna’s Allegation Against Gov. Alex Otti, Demands Evidence
The Abia State Government has strongly rejected allegations by Chief Charles Ogbonna against Governor Alex Otti, describing the claims as false, malicious and completely without foundation.
The government’s position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, in response to a video and statement attributed to Ogbonna.
According to the government, Ogbonna alleged that Governor Otti said that “Ngwa people have no brains,” describing the claim as a figment of the former government official’s imagination.
The government maintained that Governor Otti had never made such a statement, either privately or publicly, and argued that the Governor had consistently demonstrated respect for Ndi Ngwa and other Abians through appointments, projects and government policies.
The statement also challenged Ogbonna to produce the evidence he claimed to possess in support of his allegation.
The government further questioned the circumstances surrounding the apparent breakdown in the relationship between Ogbonna and Governor Otti, insisting that the former should explain what transpired instead of repeatedly attacking the Governor publicly.
According to the statement, Ogbonna’s latest comments came amid the emergence of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections. The government accused him of attempting to exploit ethnic and clan sentiments as part of his political opposition to the Otti administration.
It argued that such rhetoric was unnecessary at a time when the administration was undertaking projects and implementing policies across Abia State.
The government also revisited Ogbonna’s previous criticism of the award of the contract for the strategic Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.
It alleged that while residents and road users welcomed the rehabilitation of the long-neglected road, Ogbonna had publicly criticised the project.
The government said extensive construction work was now ongoing on the road, describing the development as evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure renewal.
The statement further declared that the era of godfatherism and what it described as primitive politics had ended in Abia on May 29, 2023, with the inauguration of the Otti administration.
In a particularly pointed response, the government mocked Ogbonna’s reported desire to play the role of a political godfather, suggesting that he could instead return to his former profession as a butcher.
The government said it would not spend time trying to convince Ogbonna about the changes taking place across Abia, particularly in Umuahia, where he hails from.
It maintained that the administration’s development projects and reforms were visible across the state and insisted that Governor Otti remained focused on governance and service delivery.
The Abia Government concluded by condemning what it described as divisive utterances capable of creating hatred and discord among residents.
It called on Ogbonna to desist from statements capable of inflaming ethnic or clan tensions, urging him instead to promote unity and peaceful coexistence among Abians.
The government reaffirmed that Governor Otti would remain focused on delivering what it described as good governance across the state and would not be distracted by political attacks.