The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State chapter, is aware of a disturbing plot orchestrated by Governor Alex Chioma Otti to clamp down, intimidate and suppress opposition in Abia State by arrest of some
members of the Abia PDP State Working Committee, as well as other prominent opposition figures, on baseless allegations.
This action appears to be part of an effort to evade crucial questions surrounding the whereabouts of over N100 billion in state funds, which have been paid out for projects including N6.5 billion for recreational facilities, N2.4 billion for ICT infrastructure, N11.9 billion for educational facilities, N7 billion for a research lab, and N3 billion for capacity building, among other questionable expenditures. These figures are clearly reflected in the quarterly financial reports published by the Accountant General of the state.
As of now, Barr. Henry Chilaka, former Chairman of ASOPADEC and former Council Chairman, has been arrested on the direct orders of Governor Otti. Additionally, four other PDP members are believed to have been detained, with their whereabouts currently unknown and their phone numbers unreachable.
Again, the case of Citizen Onyekachi Nwabueze Success who was incarcerated based on trump-up allegations on the orders of Governor Alex Otti buttresses the political persecution and onslaught against perceived political opponents. Nwabueze Success was abducted in a gestapo style by men of the DSS, summarily tried and sent to Afara prison without access to his lawyer.
The fact is that they were trying to establish who was responsible for leaking a document which clearly showed that Governor Alex Otti paid N50millon of tax payers money to his personal lawyer, Chief Ken Ahia SAN, for purportedly negotiating a road contract the Governor awarded long before his inauguration on May 29th 2023. This opaque transaction which was never tendered for bears all the insignia of conflict of interest and violation of the extant law on public procurement is only one of many that the shadow cabinet was meant to monitor on behalf of the people of Abia State.
The only “crime” of these individuals is their firm and constructive criticism of Governor Otti’s administration, on certain obnoxious policies which included mass dismissal of workers without due process, the awarding of contracts without public tender, and a blatant conflict of interest in handling of state affairs.
But in a strategic move to hold the state government accountable through formalised opposition, the Abia PDP created a PDP shadow government, appointing members to mirror the activities of each state ministry, with the intent of offering alternative, informed perspectives on government policies.
The State Chairman of Abia PDP, Elder Abraham Amah, clearly articulated his vision for the formation of the PDP Shadow Government, which seeks to foster greater transparency, accountability, and constructive opposition in governance.
This initiative evidently angered Governor Otti, who, in an unprecedented move, vowed in one of his media chats with select journalists in Abia State to crush all dissenting voices in the state. Governor Otti has shown a clear disregard for the PDP, consistently, he has struggled to obliterate the achievements of former Governors before him and has continously targeted the immediate past Governor Okezie Ikpeazu PhD for public ridicle and media trials since taking office.
The situation escalated to a dangerous crescendo when Governor Otti falsely linked the rising insecurity in Abia State to the opposition, thereby politicizing a serious security issue and offering cover to criminal elements who can now operate with impunity.
We strongly condemn this abuse of power and the growing intolerance towards democratic dissent. We call on the Inspector General of Police Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to ensure that the Abia State Police Command remains impartial and does not become an instrument of political oppression. The Nigerian Police Force has a long-standing reputation for professionalism, and we urge them to uphold these standards in Abia State.
We also appeal to the National Security Adviser to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to intervene in this matter before Governor Otti’s actions descend into authoritarianism, threatening the very fabric of our democracy. We are reminded of the time and effort it took to ensure that Hon. Aaron Uzodike a duly elected member of the PDP, who had won at the Appeal Court, was sworn into the Abia State House of Assembly after an inexplicable 10-month delay. To this day, Hon. Aaron Uzodike is still struggling to receive his rightful entitlements.
It is important to note that before the rise of the Labour Party to power, political parties in Abia State respected each other’s rights, even in the heat of fierce election campaigns. However, the current government’s intolerance and disregard for the principles of democracy could set our progress back to a time when political opposition was repressed. If left unchecked, Governor Otti’s actions would undermine the democratic gains made so far since 1999.
We urge the federal authorities, including the National Security Adviser, to urgently address the growing crisis in Abia State and prevent Governor Otti from further eroding democratic norms and human rights in the state.
Signed
Eric Ikwuagwu
State Publicity Secretary
ABIA PDP.
12/12/2024
