The Abia State government has denied the widely circulated statement, reportedly credited to the special adviser on media and publicity to Governor Alex Otti that the Governor supported the May 30 sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, who issued a statement on the matter, said the attention of the Abia State government was drawn to a widely circulating statement purportedly made by Governor Alex Chioma Otti on the order allegedly issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for a sit-at-home protest on May 30th, 2024.
According to Kanu, Otti was quoted as having spoken through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, implying that he allegedly supported the sit-at-home order.
In denying the alleged endorsement, the Abia government said: “The Abia State Government hereby categorically and unequivocally states that His Excellency did not make the statement attributed to him, nor does it reflect his personal views or those of the Abia State Government under his leadership.
“Even though the officer in question has said he was quoted out of context, the Governor has ordered a full investigation into the egregious comment, which is at variance with the government’s posture towards IPOB and other organisations or persons seeking to obstruct the rights of the citizens to freedom of movement,” the statement said.
While advising the public to disregard the comments in the purported statement, the state government said that Governor Otti maintains zero tolerance for any form of criminality or civil disturbance in any part of the state.
The statement further said that no individual or organisation has the right to deny citizens their sacrosanct right to freedom of movement, freedom to earn a livelihood and freedom to pursue their endeavours in an atmosphere of peace and security.
