₦airaland Forum

Alex Otti, governor of Abia, has rebuked a journalist during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, the state capital, on Friday.

The governor dismissed a question on verifiable data for measurable socio-economic improvements under his administration as irresponsible and poorly prepared.

The tense exchange occurred at the February edition of the governor’s regular engagement with journalists, broadcast live to residents of Abia state and beyond.

Chika Nwabueze, a journalist with the BON media group, asked Otti to provide concrete, quantifiable evidence — beyond visible infrastructure projects such as road rehabilitation to demonstrate how his policies since May 2023 had tangibly enhanced the economic conditions and living standards of residents.

In response, Otti challenged the journalist’s premise, pointing out that as a resident of Abia, he should personally observe and possess such data.

“You have not said anything. Do you live in Abia? So if you live in Umuahia, you are the one that will provide data,” the governor said.

He described the media chat as a “serious” platform not intended to “massage opposition,” adding that open questioning does not permit unprepared or what he termed frivolous inquiries.

“You can’t come to a media chat and ask me to provide data about measurable impact on work that is being done in the state that you live in. It’s irresponsible,” Otti said.

“That we throw this open for people to ask questions doesn’t mean that people should be stupid, so let’s take this very seriously. When you come to my media chat, you must be prepared; if you don’t have a question then you don’t raise your hand.”

The governor pointed to tangible changes residents could “feel”, including improved roads, functional primary healthcare centres, enhanced public transport, and elements of free education, questioning why the journalist could not acknowledge these directly in his own experience.

Putindbutt:
Journalists in Abia state are asking, the people of Abia are asking, apart from repainting less than 2km roads at 4billion per km, give us accountability for the fat allocations you have been collecting since 2023. Because it seems as though it is only on social media they are reading that Abia state has been transformed into Dubai but the residents cannot see anything on ground. Rather than provide facts and figures, he was throwing insults at the Journalist.

He lacks the understanding that not everyone can be a büttlickèr like his PR mobs on social media, packaging him as the best thing after agege bread.

Watch and see how those hypocrites who were insulting Umahi when he was asked about cost per km of Lagos-Calabar road come here and defend this fraud.

Lastmankc:
How many times have your druggie engaged Journalist on media chats?

Kingosytex:
I hate it when those entrusted with power and authority offer beaureacratic half truths when bombarded with questions. What is governance without accountability? The people deserve factual answers not some bereaucratic half truths designed to evade accountability.

Kingosytex:
One of our problems is needless whataboutisms.
So, because Emilokan doesn't engage in journalist chat, Otti shouldn't also provide answers to simple questions?

It's just like some deluded Igbos asking why the terrorists terrorising people in the East should be k!lled.
In their logic, the terrorists should be allowed to kill freely after all those In the North are also killing

Tenses:
The journalist was wrong. It's not the duty of the governor to provide such data he's asking for. Besides no government will score itself low if they are to present such data as we often see with this tinubu government.

The information the journalist is asking for is the duty of independent economists and journalists.

The man is doing the bidding of the opposition and he sound overly stupid asking such question.

Putindbutt:
See 👁️ Pob logic... Do you know what is called accountability?. It is the duty of journalists to report what's on ground, the visible projects that have been done and where none was seen, they probe and ask questions.

But to you hypocrites, a Governor that presented a budget should not tell his citizens how he has delivered on it?, he must not tell his citizens how he spent their money so far?. But you clowns will ask questions from the FG and the federal lawmakers what they're doing with "subsidy removal".

This is why no sensible person takes you seriously, just stay on social media and keep entertaining us.

Tenses:
I advise you acquaint yourself with the journalist's question to governor Otti then we can talk.

Tenses:
The journalist was wrong. It's not the duty of the governor to provide such data he's asking for. Besides no government will score itself low if they are to present such data as we often see with this tinubu government.

The information the journalist is asking for is the duty of independent economists and journalists.

The man is doing the bidding of the opposition and he sound overly stupid asking such question.