A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has berated Governor Alex Otti over what he described as a “dictatorial outburst” against a journalist during a recent monthly media briefing.
Ikonne urged the governor to issue an unreserved public apology to the reporter and address the accountability concerns raised at the session.
Otti, while responding to questions at a media chat on Friday, reportedly described a question posed by a journalist as “irresponsible” and “stupid,” after being asked to provide verifiable data on the impact of his administration’s policies on residents’ living standards.
The journalist, who identified himself as Chika Nwabueze, had asked the governor to substantiate claims of progress in infrastructure and reforms with measurable evidence of improvements in the welfare of Abia people.
Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Chiagoziem Enoch, Ikonne expressed concern over the governor’s response, saying the question bordered on transparency and accountability.
He commended the journalist for what he termed courage and professionalism in raising issues affecting the welfare of citizens.
According to him, public officials should welcome scrutiny rather than attack those who demand accountability.
Ikonne also questioned why the governor, whom he described as a seasoned economist, did not provide data-driven explanations on how government policies had impacted traders, farmers and the unemployed in the state.
He argued that with federal allocations and internally generated revenue accruing to the state, residents deserved clear information on how public funds had translated into tangible development, including job creation and healthcare improvements.
The APC chieftain further linked the incident to other controversies surrounding the administration, alleging that the government had focused more on public relations than measurable outcomes.
He warned that failure by the governor to apologise and respond to the issues raised would reinforce perceptions of intolerance and disregard for democratic accountability.
“No leader committed to democratic principles should insult a journalist for asking questions. The governor must apologise and provide answers. Abia people deserve transparency, not intimidation,” Ikonne stated.
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