The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has accused Governor Alex Otti’s administration of using the courts and other state institutions to intimidate opposition members and silence critics demanding accountability from the government.
The allegation was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Uche Aguoru.
According to the party, several opposition members have allegedly been subjected to harassment and litigation for questioning the actions of the state government and demanding transparency in governance.
The APC said, ‘We are aware of several attempts by the state government and its agents to intimidate, harass, oppress, and, in some instances, use their influence within the judicial system to persecute Abians who dare to question government actions or demand transparency, accountability, and improved governance’.
But the Labour Party (LP) in the state dismissed the APC’s allegations, accusing the opposition party of engaging in propaganda and making unsubstantiated claims against the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
In a statement on Saturday, the state Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Iroegbu Emenike, said the APC had failed to provide evidence for several allegations it had made against the state government.
Insisting, the APC publicity secretary said a recent threat of legal action against him over his criticism of the government underscored the party’s concerns.
He further claimed that more than 10 opposition members had been taken to courts in Abuja, Lagos and Abia over demands for accountability from the state government.
‘As at the last count, over ten opposition members have been dragged before various courts in Abuja, Lagos, and Abia simply for demanding accountability, transparency, and responsible governance from the Alex Otti administration.
‘It is both unfortunate and ironic that Governor Alex Otti, who today appears intolerant of criticism, built much of his political profile as an opposition figure by openly criticising successive governments at both the state and national levels.
‘Throughout those years, he exercised his constitutional right to challenge government policies, question public spending, and hold those in power accountable without being subjected to the kind of harassment, intimidation, and legal persecution that critics of his administration now face’, the statement added.
The APC maintained that its role as an opposition party was to promote accountability and good governance.
‘Our interventions have remained focused on governance, accountability, transparency, prudent management of public resources, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
‘We have exercised our constitutional right to question government policies and decisions where necessary, and we will continue to do so without fear or apology’.
The party said that it would not be intimidated into silence.
‘Let it be clearly stated that neither the APC nor its members can be intimidated into silence. We will continue to demand responsible, accountable, and transparent governance in Abia State. Democracy thrives on criticism, scrutiny, and accountability. Those entrusted with public office must be prepared to answer questions from the people they govern.
The Abia APC called on the Otti administration to halt what it described as the weaponisation of the courts against political opponents and critics.
The Labour Party publicity secretary, said, ‘It is important to remind the Abia APC that nobody is intimidating them. Asking people to provide evidence for allegations is not intimidation. Demanding proof for accusations is not oppression. Inviting those who defame others to defend their claims in court is not harassment’.
Emenike described Governor Otti as ‘one of the biggest products of opposition politics in modern Nigerian democracy’, noting that before becoming governor, he spent years challenging governments and presenting alternative ideas without resorting to what he called ‘reckless propaganda, baseless accusations and empty media blackmail’.
He accused the APC of misunderstanding the role of opposition parties in a democracy.
According to him, ‘A responsible opposition party presents alternatives. A responsible opposition party critiques policies with facts. A responsible opposition party provides solutions. A responsible opposition party earns public trust through credibility’.
The Labour Party spokesman also referenced an earlier allegation by the APC that the Abia State Government spent N5 billion to destabilise the party, saying no evidence had been presented to support the claim.
‘The same APC publicly alleged that the Abia State Government spent N5 billion to destabilize their already fragmented and crisis-ridden party. Till today, they have failed to provide one single piece of evidence to support that laughable claim’, he said.
Emenike maintained that neither Governor Otti nor his administration was opposed to criticism, but insisted that allegations of corruption and misconduct must be backed with facts.
‘If they have facts, they should present them. If they do not have facts, they should stop misleading the public with cheap propaganda. Abians are wiser today and can clearly distinguish between governance and political desperation’, he added.
