Warn your supporters against uncouth remarks on Ikpeazu, S’East group tells Gov Otti

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The South East Good Governance Advocates (SEGGA) has told Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to call his supporters to order over baseless attacks on former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

SEGGA coordinator and secretary, Mark Onukwuwe, and Anozie Madu, in a statement yesterday, said the call was in response to a false and malicious social media report claiming that a high court in Abia State had sentenced Ikpeazu to death for embezzling over N5 trillion meant for airport and light railway construction.

They explained that there was no judicial officer by the name Emeka Nwogu serving in the Abia State judiciary, which raises significant doubts about the authenticity of the alleged court judgment.

Onukwuwe argued that Nigerian jurisprudence does not classify corruption offences as capital crimes, warranting the death penalty.

“This purported claim appears to be an egregious fabrication, likely propagated by social media operatives seeking to besmirch the reputation of the esteemed Abia State judiciary.

“This report is not only entirely fabricated but also a blatant attempt to distract the public from the glaring failures of the current administration.

“Under Governor Otti’s leadership, several high-profile projects, including the N54 billion smart school project, N6.5 billion recreation centre and N4 billion ICT centre, have vanished without a trace.

“The people of Abia State deserve transparency and accountability, not diversionary tactics.”

He emphasised that Abia State did not attract up to N1 trillion in revenue during Ikeazu’s eight-year tenure as governor, making the N5 trillion embezzlement claim unfounded. 

“A simple arithmetic calculation reveals the absurdity of the claims against Dr. Ikpeazu. If Abia State were to attract N4 billion monthly, that would amount to N48 billion annually, and N480 billion over 10 years. Where is the evidence to support the claim of N5 trillion in embezzlement?

“We challenge Governor Otti and his supporters to produce credible documentation. This fictitious report is a clear example of reckless journalism and malicious prosecution.

“SEGGA calls on Governor Otti and his supporters to focus on addressing the challenges facing Abia State rather than engaging in baseless attacks on their predecessors.”