Abia State Governor Alex Otti has rebuffed verbal attacks by former Commissioner Charles Ogbonna, describing them as “petty and laughable,” and clarified that his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu was solely to discuss the release of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
A statement by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said Ogbonna’s aggression stems from personal grievances, including the state reclaiming Agbozu Cocoa Plantation and the rejection of his son’s political appointment. “Chief Ogbonna’s tantrums reflect frustration and diminished influence,” it said.
Governor Otti’s office noted that his visit to Aso Rock followed a meeting with Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on November 30, 2025, continuing ongoing engagements with the federal government over the past two years. The meeting, the statement said, was “positive and fruitful.”
Ekeoma also criticized Ogbonna’s contradictory claims of betrayal and inconsistency, pointing out Otti’s record of electoral victories over Ogbonna’s PDP candidates.
“Governor Otti didn’t campaign with Kanu’s name in 2023, and he doesn’t need to for 2027. Resolving Kanu’s conviction is key to peace and security,” the statement said.
The statement further condemned Ogbonna’s politicization of development projects, citing his opposition to the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road award as evidence of prioritizing personal gain over public welfare.
The Governor’s office urged Ogbonna to pursue personal ambitions without attacking Otti, stressing that such behavior undermines his credibility. It reaffirmed its commitment to governance, security, and strategic development in Abia State.
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