A former Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Paul Ikonne, has called on Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to issue an immediate apology following a heated exchange with a journalist during a recent media briefing.
Ikonne, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the demand in a statement released on Sunday through his spokesperson, Chiagoziem Enoch.
The controversy stems from an incident in which Governor Otti reportedly reacted sharply to a journalist who sought clarification and accountability regarding his administration’s reform policies in Abia State. The governor’s response has since generated widespread reactions across the country.
Among those who weighed in on the matter is Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, who publicly criticized the governor’s conduct, describing it as inappropriate.
Reacting to the development, Ikonne described Otti’s outburst as “dictatorial” and inconsistent with democratic principles. He argued that as an economist, the governor should have responded to the inquiry with verifiable data rather than personal remarks.
“Governance is not about rhetoric; it is about measurable outcomes,” Ikonne stated.
“It is deeply troubling that instead of answering legitimate questions, Otti resorted to personal attacks. No leader who believes in democratic accountability should insult a journalist or anyone for asking questions.”
Ikonne further insisted that Governor Otti must apologize, emphasizing that public office holders are accountable to citizens and should uphold transparency and respect in their engagements with the media.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Abia State Government were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
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