The Abia state government has reportedly uncovered a scheme orchestrated by disgruntled politicians to sponsor a blackmail campaign against Governor Alex Otti using unnamed media outlets.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Senior Special Adviser to Gov. Otti on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, revealed that certain individuals had paid unnamed media outlets to propagate a false narrative about the incumbent administration.
The statement by Ekeoma stated, “A plot to unleash consistent vicious media onslaughts and blackmail against the Governor of Abia state, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, and the government of Abia state, has been uncovered.
“A certain federal lawmaker gathered some media men over the weekend in Abuja and handed over tons of fake documents purportedly from the government to the media men to support the launch of a media onslaught on the governor.
“What is clear is that the plot is being bankrolled by those with the delusional desire to hold Abia State down in penurious perpetuity that was rejected by the people at the polls,” he emphasized.
“We, therefore, wish to state as follows: that Governor Alex Otti holds the popular mandate of Abia people in trust and enjoys the overwhelming support of Abia masses who are already heaving a sigh of relief since his assumption of office, no form of orchestrated and senseless media attack can diminish his towering credentials and verifiable achievements as being acknowledged by Abians.
“Those unleashing these endless smear campaigns against Governor Otti are pained by the popular verdict of acceptance, which has continued to place him very high as a very performing and popular Governor in the country.
“Sadly, they do not know that these vicious campaigns can never offer them the second opportunity they desperately seek to bring back their era or ruins, ruthlessness, and enslavement against Abians.
Ekeoma further revealed, “Abians have taken a courageous decision to live honourably and peacefully in the New Abia under the responsible and responsive leadership of Governor Otti and therefore can never fall prey to the antics of political opportunists or be deceived to believe that their oppressors of yesterday can become their saviours of today.
“Those who are out to blackmail and defame the present government and the Governor in order to return to power directly and indirectly and continue to build the eternal criminal empire they dreamt about clearly have underestimated the resolve and determination of the government and people of Abia State to resist, confront and defeat them in order to build an Abia that would be glorious and prosperous in all spheres.
“The Alex Otti government is only loyal to the Abia people and not to a group of selfish political merchants who are only after their selfish political interests, and thus would continue to serve Abians passionately and diligently while remaining accountable and answerable to them at all times,” the statement concluded.