|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized Governor Alex Otti over his verbal exchange with the Group News Editor of Don FM Umuahia, Mr. Chika Nwabueze, during the Governor’s media chat on Friday.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Abraham Amah, the party expressed deep concern over what it described as a public insult directed at Nwabueze for asking what it termed a legitimate and professional question. The journalist had sought data and measurable outcomes of government policies and how they impact ordinary residents of the state.
The PDP insisted that the media has a constitutional duty to question public office holders on behalf of the people, stressing that there was nothing inappropriate about the question posed to the Governor. According to the party, demanding empirical evidence of governance outcomes lies at the heart of responsible journalism and democratic accountability.
The statement warned that when leaders respond to legitimate inquiries with personal attacks instead of verifiable facts, it weakens public discourse, undermines confidence in leadership, and signals intolerance for scrutiny. The party further argued that targeting a journalist for performing his professional responsibility amounts to an affront not only to the individual but also to the media organization he represents and the citizens whose concerns he sought to amplify.
The PDP called on Governor Otti to uphold press freedom and to address public inquiries with verifiable data to strengthen transparency and accountability in governance.
However, the Governor’s camp pushed back. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, defended his principal, arguing that the Don FM journalist ought to have assessed the tangible impact of the administration’s projects, particularly the rehabilitated Ohokobo-Afara Road in Umuahia. Ukoha noted that the road project directly benefits the area where Nwabueze resides, suggesting that its visible improvements speak to the Governor’s performance.
The exchange has since sparked debate within the state’s political and media circles, as stakeholders weigh in on the broader issues of accountability, governance metrics, and press freedom in Abia State.
