Manny Ita –
The Abia State Government has issued a formal rebuttal to widespread social media reports and viral articles alleging that Governor Alex Otti has initiated legal action against the Federal Government at the International Court of Justice, commonly known as the World Court. The rumors, which gained significant traction over the last 48 hours, claimed that the state executive had filed a lawsuit over a dispute regarding the licensing and operational control of the proposed Abia State Cargo Airport. In a press briefing held today at the Government House in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, categorized the reports as “malicious misinformation” orchestrated by political detractors to create an artificial rift between the state and the Presidency. “There is absolutely no truth to the claim that Governor Alex Otti has dragged the Federal Government to the World Court or any other international judicial body,” Kanu stated, urging the public to disregard the “phantom reports” circulating on various digital platforms.
The commissioner clarified that while the state is actively pursuing the completion of its aviation infrastructure, all engagements regarding the project are being handled through established domestic and administrative channels. He emphasized that the administration of Governor Otti remains committed to a policy of “constructive dialogue” with federal aviation authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). “Abia State remains a component part of the Nigerian federation and recognizes the regulatory authority of the Federal Government in aviation matters,” Kanu noted, adding that the state has no reason to seek international arbitration over a domestic developmental project. “This is clearly a desperate attempt by certain interests to stir regional tension and distract the governor from his transformative agenda for Abians.”
Furthermore, the state government warned purveyors of “fake news” to desist from creating narratives that could undermine national security and inter-governmental relations. The Ministry of Information highlighted that the fabricated story appeared to have been designed to exploit the current economic sensitivities surrounding infrastructure development in the South-East. “We call on journalists and social media influencers to verify their facts before going to press,” the commissioner concluded. “The governor’s focus remains on delivering quality infrastructure and economic growth for Abia, and he will not be deterred by the antics of those who thrive on falsehoods.” The government reaffirmed that progress on the cargo airport is proceeding according to plan, with technical teams from the federal level expected to visit the site for a routine inspection later this quarter.
