A group of former political appointees and allies of ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has slammed the Abia State Government over what it described as a “hypocritical” and “intimidating” press release condemning their recent courtesy visit to the former governor.
In a strongly worded statement issued on June 17, 2025, the group said the Otti-led government is merely “afraid of looking in the mirror,” referring to a press release titled “Government Condemns Unlawful Political Campaign by Former Governor Ikpeazu… Calls for Calm Amidst Provocations.”
According to the signatories, “We do not expect former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to respond to the hypocritical publication, but it is important for us to state that the government is only scared of what they see in their political mirror.”
They described as laughable the idea that a government led by Dr. Alex Otti—who they claim held a political rally and a failed “Two Million-Man March” at Enyimba Stadium on the same Democracy Day—is accusing others of conducting a political gathering.
“That a government headed by Alex Otti… is the one ranting about a ‘politically charged gathering’ and violation of ‘constitutional provisions and INEC guidelines’ is a clear indication of leadership dementia occasioned by congenital hypocrisy that appears to have afflicted the current occupants of Umuehim Nvosi New Government House,” the statement read.
The group explained that the Democracy Day event held at Dr. Ikpeazu’s country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA, was a non-partisan gathering of his former appointees and associates who came to express appreciation for their appointments during his tenure.
They clarified that, “Those in attendance included individuals of diverse political and professional persuasions including members of PDP, APC and other political parties in Nigeria. Indeed, the current Chairman of Obingwa Local Government, Mr. Maxwell Nwadike, was also in attendance.”
They also maintained that there were no political endorsements or campaign declarations at the gathering:
“Presentations made by those who spoke at the gathering revolved around appreciation, gratitude and calls for brotherhood… Not even a single speaker called for a vote for any political party… and we challenge the Government to provide proofs to the contrary.”
The group accused Governor Otti of double standards for participating in the Enyimba Stadium event the same day:
“Governor Alex Otti… was at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, on the same day, to receive what his spokesman described as ‘campaign coaster vehicle’ and participate in a failed ‘Two Million-Man March Road Show’… a very poorly attended event that didn’t record up to 500 persons.”
The statement questioned the rationale behind condemning a private meeting while leading a public rally:
“If not for congenital hypocrisy, how dare Alex Otti and his minions complain about a private meeting in someone’s private house… whereas they took over a stadium for a political rally and failed political street march?”
They called on security agencies and INEC to hold Governor Otti accountable for any violations of electoral laws and accused him of incitement.
Reminding the governor of his previous electoral defeats, they advised him to focus on governance:
“May we also remind Alex Otti that elections are either lost or won as there are no middle grounds. He serially lost elections in 2015 and 2019 to Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu… he should learn to focus on delivering verifiable dividends of democracy rather than attempting to gaslight individuals and opposition political parties in Abia State.”
The group further vowed that no amount of intimidation would silence the political opposition in the state:
“No amount of real or attempted intimidation will stop citizens of Abia State, including those in opposition political parties, from exercising their constitutional freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly. Not even a wanna-be Emperor of Nvosi can achieve that.”
The press release was signed by:
- Barr Emeka Enwereji
- Chief Uche Aguoru
- Barr Olugu Kalu Ugba
- Mazi Enyinnaya Appolos
- Chief Jude Udeachara
- Chief Peter Aguomba
- Chief John Okiyi Kalu
- Hon. Ken Onochie Madubuike
They identified themselves as the Conveners of the Courtesy Visit to HE Okezie Ikpeazu on June 12, 2025.
