The Abia State Government has described as false and malicious, the statement by an Ibeku-born political stalwarts, Chief Charles Ogbonna (Evulogu Ibeku) where he alleged that Governor Alex Otti described the entire Ngwa clan of Abia State as people without brain, and challenged him to produce evidence as claimed.
According to the government, it says it has “noted with dismay a video and statement credited to Chief Charles Ogbonna, in which he falsely and maliciously alleged that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, said that ‘Ngwa people have no brains,’ among other irresponsible utterances.”
Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity said that ordinarily, the government would have ignored Chief Ogbonna just like it has ignored many of his attacks in the recent past, but because of the gravity of some of the things he said, it felt it should put the records straight.
Ekeoma in his words said that the government states categorically that the allegation is false, baseless, and a figment of Chief Ogbonna’s imagination.
He said that at no time, in private or in public, did Governor Otti make such a statement against the Ngwa clan.
Ekeoma said that those who know Governor Otti well know that he does not speak loosely unlike Ogbonna.
He said that Governor Otti holds Ndi Ngwa, like all Abians, in the highest esteem and has demonstrated this through equitable appointments, projects, and policies across all zones of the state.
Ekeoma said that if Chief Ogbonna thought well about the statement he made, he would have known that he contradicted himself when he started by saying that Governor Otti told him he was from Nvosi in Ngwa and proceeded to pronounce Ngwa people brainless.
“That is to say that Governor Otti himself was without brains too! We challenge Chief Ogbonna to produce the evidence which he claimed he has.
“We further challenge Chief Ogbonna to let the world know what went wrong between him and the Governor. Its not enough to come out and throw tantrums at the Governor when he does not have the courage to disclose what went wrong in their relationship.”
Ekeoma said that Ogbonna’s latest outburst followed the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 elections, having seen that his party is suffering serious visibility and popularity problems, he has resorted to incitement and hate speech.
“It is sad that at a time Governor Otti’s stellar performance has united Abians across clan and political lines, Chief Ogbonna believes the only way to stop his re-election is to stir clannish disaffection and ethnic hate. Sadly for him, Abia people are wiser than him.
“Chief Ogbonna was the same person who went on air to condemn the Governor for awarding the contract for the strategic but dilapidated Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.
“While other Abians, especially residents and users of the road, were celebrating, Chief Ogbonna was angry because, in his aged but infantile mind, such a project would give Governor Otti massive goodwill and advantage over his opponents, hence his wish that it should be abandoned for Abians to continue to suffer.
“This is the witchcraft mindset with which Chief Ogbonna served in government for several years, hence his immediate community and Umuahia in general were denied genuine development.
Massive work is ongoing on the said Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road today, to the shock and shame of Chief Ogbonna.”
He said that Abia has since left that era when men like Chief Ogbonna called the shots and denied Abians good governance. The era of godfatherism and primitive politics ended on May 29, 2023.
Ekeoma, however, said that if Chief Ogbonna desperately wants to play the role of a godfather anywhere in the Abia of today, he may consider returning to his original profession as a butcher.
“His colleagues may be willing to allow him play that role at Slaughter in any of the locations he chooses.
“We will not waste our time educating Chief Ogbonna about the transformation that has taken place across Abia State since Governor Otti assumed office, especially in Umuahia where Chief Ogbonna hails from.
“As visible as the transformations are, we do not expect a self-centred person like him to see or acknowledge them, because the giant strides run contrary to his governance philosophy.”
He said that the government condemns in the strongest terms Chief Ogbonna’s divisive utterances and warn him to desist from instigating hatred and division among peace-loving Abians.
“At his age, we expect him to build bridges and not sow seeds of rancour and discord. A word is enough for the wise.
“Governor Otti remains focused on delivering good governance to all Abians and will not be distracted by desperate politicians.”
