Abia PDP Reacts to Otti’s Exchange With Journalist During Media Chat

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State chapter, has reacted to the exchange between Governor Alex Otti and the Group News Editor of Don FM Umuahia, Mr. Chika Nwabueze, during the governor’s media chat on Friday.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Abraham Amah, the party expressed concern over comments attributed to Otti, alleging that the journalist was publicly insulted for asking what it described as a legitimate and professional question regarding data and measurable outcomes of government policies.

The PDP maintained that it is the constitutional responsibility of the media to ask questions on behalf of the public, stressing that there was nothing inappropriate about the inquiry directed at the governor.

“We state clearly that there is nothing improper, offensive, or unintelligent about a journalist requesting empirical evidence of governance outcomes. Such questions lie at the very heart of responsible journalism and democratic accountability,” the statement read.

The party further stated that responding to legitimate questions with personal attacks rather than facts could undermine public discourse and erode confidence in leadership.

“An attack on a journalist for performing this duty is an affront not only to the individual concerned but also to the media organisation he represents and to the people of Abia State whose interests he sought to articulate,” the PDP added.

The party called for respect for press freedom and urged the governor to provide verifiable data in response to public inquiries for the sake of accountability.

However, reacting to the controversy, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said the Don FM journalist ought to have assessed the tangible impact of Otti’s administration, citing the rehabilitation of the Ohokobo-Afara Road in Umuahia, which he noted leads to Nwabueze’s residence.