Abia Govt Debunks Viral Claim Linking Otti to World Court Suit Over Aba Cargo Airport

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Abia State Government has firmly denied viral social media reports alleging that Governor Alex Otti dragged the Federal Government of Nigeria before the World Court over the non-approval of a Cargo Airport in Aba.

The government described the reports as spurious, fabricated and deliberately misleading, accusing political actors of pushing propaganda to tarnish the governor’s image.

In a statement issued on Monday night, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, dismissed claims that Governor Otti petitioned any international court, including allegations that Igbos were being killed or denied their rights in Lagos.

Kanu stated unequivocally that no such lawsuit exists and that the governor neither wrote nor endorsed any petition against the Nigerian government at the World Court.

“Let it be stated categorically and without ambiguity that no such lawsuit exists. Governor Alex Otti has neither approached nor petitioned any international court against the Nigerian Government on this matter or any other,” the commissioner said.

He described the publication as entirely false, reckless and intentionally crafted to mislead the public, stressing that aviation infrastructure approvals in Nigeria are governed by established national regulatory and administrative frameworks.

“At no time has the Abia State Government contemplated, let alone initiated, any international litigation on such matters,” Kanu added.

The commissioner further condemned claims suggesting that Governor Otti accused Lagos of ethnic killings or rights violations, describing them as wicked lies designed to inflame ethnic sentiments, create unnecessary tension and entangle the governor in dangerous falsehoods.

According to the Abia State Government, opposition elements and political actors are coordinating smear campaigns against the governor, who it described as a strong advocate of national unity, lawful engagement and constructive collaboration with the Federal Government, rather than sensationalism or ethnic blackmail.