Abia Govt Alleges Opposition Plot to Destabilize State, Smear Otti–Tinubu Alliance

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Abia State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as a coordinated attempt by opposition elements to incite political tension and undermine the cordial relationship between Governor Alex Otti and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the government accused former Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, of recruiting individuals to launch a social media smear campaign against Governor Otti.

Ukoha claimed that the alleged plot was uncovered through a circulating screenshot linked to Okiyi, describing it as “a reckless and desperate move by the Abia opposition to destabilize the state and, by extension, the South-East geopolitical zone.”

He warned that the use of fake news could jeopardize Abia’s strong working relationship with the Federal Government. Despite the alleged campaign, he said Governor Otti remained focused and appreciative of President Tinubu’s administration for approving key infrastructural projects — including the reconstruction of federal roads and the upgrade of the proposed Abia Airstrip to a full airport.

However, reacting on his Facebook page, John Okiyi Kalu denied any involvement in the alleged plot, insisting he neither authored the script nor belonged to any WhatsApp group called “War Room.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, I do not belong to any WhatsApp group called ‘War Room.’ The language employed is not mine, and I completely disown everything in that idiotic script,” Okiyi declared.