By Omoniyi David
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has cautioned Governor Alex Otti to desist from using the name of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for political relevance, urging him instead to focus on governance and accountability to the people of Abia State.
Ikonne gave the warning on Saturday in Abuja while addressing a large gathering of Ukwa la Ngwa youths who paid him a courtesy visit.
According to him, the governor’s recent public remarks concerning Nnamdi Kanu were “nothing but a desperate attempt to gain attention.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ujo Justice, Ikonne said it was “unfortunate that rather than giving Abians a transparent account of how public funds are being utilised, Governor Otti has chosen to play politics with the emotions of the people by dragging the name of Nnamdi Kanu into his failing government narrative.”
He accused the governor of using sensitive national issues to divert attention from what he described as Otti’s “growing record of underperformance,” adding that several projects claimed by the administration had remained invisible.
Ikonne questioned the sincerity of the ₦54 billion “Smart School” project and the ₦6 billion “Recreational Center,” both reportedly executed under the Otti administration, and challenged the governor to show their exact locations.
“If truly these projects exist, why were they not commissioned during the governor’s recent public show of some rehabilitated roads? Why does every report from Abia Government House end up as social media content with no substance on the ground?” he queried.
The APC stalwart further alleged that Abia State’s quarterly performance report contained “disturbing figures,” claiming that huge sums had been written off for non-existent projects, despite the government receiving over ₦30 billion monthly in allocations and internally generated revenue.
Describing Otti’s administration as “a government of repainting and rebranding of old structures while claiming new achievements,” Ikonne said Abians were now wiser and would no longer be deceived by “mere aesthetics or photo opportunities.”
On the matter of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Ikonne faulted Otti’s recent public interest, accusing him of hypocrisy.
“For more than two years in office, Governor Otti never paid a visit, never made a concrete intervention, and never demonstrated any concern about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s situation. Now that his government’s credibility is collapsing, he suddenly remembers Kanu. That is hypocrisy at its peak,” he stated.
Ikonne emphasized that “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom without Alex Otti’s political grandstanding,” and urged the governor to stop exploiting the issue for personal and political gain.
He, however, commended Hon. Obi Aguocha and Hon. Ichita for their ongoing efforts toward securing Kanu’s release, expressing optimism that “their efforts will bring good results very soon.”
