The government of Abia State has denied allegations that it arrested young people and elders who were summoned for a peace discussion.
According to reports, Governor Alex Otti detained several young people and elders who were invited to discuss the construction of the Port Harcourt-Aba Road.
Social media reports focused on the actions of young people and elders from a specific clan in the state who blocked a construction site in order to reach a resolution.
It was claimed that they were invited by the governor for a peace discussion but were instead arrested, and the construction company was instructed to proceed with the project.
Meanwhile, Dodoh Okafor, the senior special assistant to the governor on public communication, clarified on Monday that the governor did not arrest anyone regarding the start of the Port Harcourt-Aba Road’s rehabilitation and reconstruction.
He also mentioned that the residents of the state are thankful for the governor’s endeavours in restoring the neglected road, which had collapsed in the 1990s.
“Our attention has been drawn to a trending social media report wherein the authors, for whatever purpose, alleged that Abia State Gov. had some young men & elders arrested after he allegedly invited them for peace talks in Umuahia.
“The fact of the matter is that Governor Alex Otti did not at any time order the arrest of anyone or group of people in connection with any remote or immediate event before and after the flag-off of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Port Harcourt-Aba Road in Aba.
“It is estimated that the collapse and subsequent abandonment of Port Harcourt Road by previous administrations cost the city hundreds of billions of naira in earnings, job opportunities, and other missed opportunities.
“It then beggars’ belief that anyone or group would wish to stand against the resolve of the Otti administration to fix that stretch of road, solve the perennial flooding problems in that part of Aba, and make the environment business-friendly once again as envisaged by Governor Sam Mbakwe of old Imo State who constructed the road to expand the frontiers of economic opportunities in Aba,” the statement reads in part.
Okafor informed locals that the administration is determined to regain the state’s status as a centre of economic activity.
“Governor Otti’s resolve to set Abia on a new, more progressive direction remains unshaken. He does not take the goodwill of the public for granted and will continue to respect the opinions of those who gave him the mandate to lead.
“Members of the public are especially encouraged to be wary of the antics of several mischievous characters whose stock-in-trade is to create divisions that only serve their selfish agenda.
“We are one people, sharing a common destiny, and must remain united as we walk past the wilderness of yesterday into the glorious future that is our rightful heritage,” he added.
