However, instead of responding directly to the question, Governor Otti reacted angrily and publicly berated the journalist, referring to him as “stupid” during the exchange.
The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the verbal assault on an Abia-based journalist Chika Nwabueze of Don Media Group by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during a media chat held in the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday, and signed by the Press Freedom Officer of IPC’s Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, Melody Akinjiyan, the organisation criticised the governor’s conduct during a question-and-answer session, where the journalist was insulted after requesting data to support claims of improved living standards in the state.
During the media chat, the journalist asked the governor to provide verifiable data demonstrating that government policies have improved the economic and living conditions of residents of the state beyond infrastructural projects such as road construction.
Nwabueze asked, “Your administration has received praise for visible infrastructure projects, but critics say that measurable impacts, transparency, and inclusive governance need improvement.
“Can you provide verifiable data showing how your policies have directly improved the economic and living conditions of ordinary Abians beyond infrastructure development?”
However, instead of responding directly to the question, Governor Otti reacted angrily and publicly berated the journalist, referring to him as “stupid” during the exchange.
Responding to the question, the governor said, “You have not said anything. Do you live in Abia?” to which the journalist replied that he resides in Umuahia, the state capital.
Otti then said, “If you live in Umuahia, you are the one that will provide data.” He continued by asking, “The road you use, is it tarred? Do your children pay school fees?” to which Nwabueze answered in the affirmative.
The governor pressed further, saying, “But you see children that don’t pay school fees, right?” before adding, “The point is that this media chat is a serious media chat. We are not here to massage opposition.
“You can’t come to a media chat, and you are asking me to provide data about measurable impacts on work that is being done in the state where you live. It is irresponsible!
“That we throw this open for people to ask questions doesn’t mean that people should be stupid. If you can’t feel what is happening in the state where you live, then I’m sorry I can’t help you.”
He continued, “Let’s take this very serious. Speech is free, so you can…, but when you come for my media chat, you must be prepared. If you don’t have any questions, then you don’t raise your hand.
“I’m at a loss. What do you mean? What do you want to hear from me?”
When the journalist repeated his request for verifiable data, the governor responded, “That is not my business. What my business is is to deliver on my promises.
“It is for you as a journalist, if you are actually one, to say, because roads have been done, accidents have reduced, travel times have reduced, there are electric buses all over the place that are free of charge, there are 200 primary health care centres that were not here before.
“So, when somebody takes ill, he can go to a healthcare delivery centre in his ward. Because you have fixed the state, businesses have returned.
“I don’t know how much you pay as rent. I don’t know how much you were paying before now.
“If you want the governor to sit and tell you the economic impacts, then something is wrong. Next time, when you are coming to ask questions, prepare very well.”
Reacting to the incident, IPC said the governor’s response undermined democratic accountability and press freedom.
The Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, stated, “The Governor’s angry reaction was very condescending and not expected of an elected leader who has the responsibility to give account to the citizens who voted him into office.”
He added, “Mr Chika was within his constitutional and professional rights as a journalist to ask the governor the question.
“Any public figure, especially a duty bearer, for that matter, should expect to be subjected to public scrutiny.
“The journalist’s question was an opportunity for the governor to give further details on his performance.”
The organisation maintained that public officials must be willing to face scrutiny, particularly during media engagements designed to promote transparency.
“IPC-SPJ Hub is of the firm opinion that the Governor should not have organised a media chat if he was not willing to subject himself and his administration to public scrutiny,” the statement said.
The organisation called on Governor Otti to issue a public apology to the journalist, describing the insults as unwarranted and unacceptable.
“IPC-SPJ Hub is therefore calling on the Governor of Abia to publicly apologise to the affected journalist for hurling unwarranted insults on him,” the statement added.
The organisation also reminded public office holders across the country of their obligation to uphold accountability and respect press freedom at all times, stressing that journalists play a critical role in democratic governance by asking questions on behalf of citizens.
