Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Friday slammed a journalist during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, the state capital.
The governor, while reacting to a question on verifiable data for measurable socio-economic improvements under his administration, described the journalist as irresponsible and ill-prepared.
The 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 have impacted the lives of the average Abians since he got into office.
Nwabueze’s question did not sit well with the governor, who challenged him that, as a resident of Abia state, he should have in his possession before attending the media chat.
“You have not said anything. Do you live in Abia? So if you live in Umuahia, you are the one that will provide data,” a furious Otti 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.
He added, “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 claimed that 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.
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