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Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has called upon President Bola Tinubu and the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to initiate an investigation into a group that levelled accusations of him sponsoring the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement released on Tuesday, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, emphasised that the group, comprised of unconventional individuals in a viral video, had called upon the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia to deliver its verdict, set for Friday, October 6, through a Zoom session.
Okey Ahaiwe, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and his All Progressives Congress rival in the March 18 governorship election in the state, are currently disputing the declaration of Otti as the governor.
Read also: How I Plan To Grow Abia Economy To ₦3.5trn – Alex Otti
Ekeoma has reported that the group alleges the state government’s involvement in a scheme to intimidate the tribunal judges, pressuring them to rule in favour of Otti. The group further claims that the judges could be subjected to threats if they do not rule in the governor’s favour.
He stated, ‘The attention of the Abia State Government has been drawn to videos arising from two press briefings conducted by individuals suspected to have been hired by opposition elements who were roundly defeated in the last governorship election in the state.’
‘The first group called Abia Youth Interest Group had alleged that Otti was using Abia funds to sponsor the litigation of the Labour Party presidential election of Mr Peter Obi.’
‘In the second conference, another group of strange fellows alleged that the four-month-old government of governor Alex Otti is sponsoring the Indigenous People of Biafra.’
‘Because these allegations are weighty and have the propensity to cause disaffection, insecurity, a breakdown of law and order, and even endanger the lives and property of innocent citizens, we strongly and most respectfully call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector of Police to use their good offices to cause immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations.’
‘The young men who organised these press conferences should be invited by security agencies to come and throw more light on their allegations to enable law enforcement agents to carry out thorough investigations that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.’
‘The hate, anger, bitterness and the trademark of terror contained in the text of the press conference and on the facial expressions of the accusers showed a despicable design to subject the government and people of Abia State to dishonour,’ Ekeoma concluded.
