DIPLOMAN TIMES

The Abia State Government has rejected an allegation attributed to Chief Charles Ogbonna concerning a statement allegedly made by Governor Alex Otti, describing the allegation as untrue.

The Abia State Government has issued a response to a video and statement attributed to Chief Charles Ogbonna, in which an allegation was made concerning Governor Alex Otti and a purported remark about Ngwa people. The government categorically denied that the governor made the alleged statement.

In the response signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ferdinand Ekeoma, the state government said the allegation was false and challenged Ogbonna to provide evidence for the claim. The statement also said the governor regarded Ndi Ngwa and other residents of Abia with respect.

The government linked the dispute to wider disagreements between Ogbonna and the administration and referred to criticism surrounding government projects, including the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road. The response contained strongly worded political criticism of Ogbonna, but those characterisations are claims made by the government rather than independently established facts.

The administration also said work was ongoing on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road and defended its record of appointments, projects and policies. The supplied statement did not include an independent response from Ogbonna or evidence resolving the disputed allegation.

The immediate established development is therefore the Abia Government's denial and demand for evidence. The underlying allegation remains contested in the supplied material, and the report does not treat either side's characterization as independently established fact.