Abia Vows Crackdown on Fake News, Warns Perpetrators of Prosecution

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Abia State government has declared it will no longer tolerate the spread of fake news targeted at undermining the administration of Governor Alex Otti.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, issued the warning on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Otti.

Kanu said the state would prosecute those responsible for publishing falsehoods, stressing that while the administration respects fundamental human rights, it will not allow malicious propaganda to breed disaffection among citizens.

“While this government will not adopt the gestapo-style approach of the past where people’s rights were violated, we will not fold our arms and watch individuals peddle outright falsehood against the State,” Kanu stated.

He maintained that the Otti-led government is committed to transparency and has nothing to hide from the people of Abia.

The Information Commissioner also announced that Friday Kalu Ohuche had been sworn in as the Chief Economic Adviser to the State. In addition, Governor Otti inaugurated the Abia Economic Management Team, which he said will work alongside the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council that includes respected figures such as the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, former World Bank executive Arunma Otteh, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and investment banker Bolaji Balogun.