The Abia State Government has alleged it uncovered a plot to damage the relationship between Governor Alex Otti and President Bola Tinubu through a coordinated social media campaign.
In a press release dated October 26, 2025, and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor, Ctzn. Ukoha, Njoku Ukoha, the government stated its attention was drawn to a circulating screenshot from a closed-circuit platform named ‘WAR ROOM’.
The government claimed the screenshot shows the former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu, “was allegedly issuing instructions to his recruited data boys and e-ratsโฆ to orchestrate a vicious smear campaign against the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR.”
According to the release, the alleged objective of the campaign is “to stoke division in the cordial working relationship between him and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
The government described this development as exposing “the so-called Abia opposition reckless desperation to undermine and destabilize the State and in extension, the South-East Geopolitical zone.”
In strong terms, the statement characterised the opposition’s actions as revealing a lack of substantive ideas.
“The Abia State Government views the divisive antics as a clear manifestation of the Abia opposition’s lack of ideas and inability to articulate a credible alternative vision for the State,” it said.
The release further accused the opposition of consistently resorting to “character assassination, misinformation, falsehood, and the divisive politics of planting fake news to incite and turn the Federal Government against Governor Alex Otti and Abia State Government,” calling it a “testament to their desperation to return to power by any means.”
Despite the allegations, the government reaffirmed its focus on governance. “The Government of Abia State reaffirms Governor Otti’s commitment to the welfare and development of Abia State and its people,” the statement read, adding that the administration “will not be deterred by the Abia opposition’s desperate antics.”
Highlighting the current cooperation with the federal government, the release noted Governor Otti’s “gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support and approvals of Abia State numerous requests.”
It specified that these approvals include permission “for the State to intervene in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of critical Federal infrastructures across the State including the upgrading of the proposed Airstrip to an Airport,” which it said demonstrates “the strong partnership between the State under Governor Otti and the Federal Governments under President Tinubu.”
The press release concluded with a direct warning, urging “the so-called Abia opposition and the former commissioner for information, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu to desist from their desperate attempts to sow discord.”
It called on citizens to “remain vigilant and continue to reject the Abia opposition’s toxic politics.”
There has been no immediate public response from Mr. John Okiyi Kalu regarding these allegations.
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