Abia State Governor Alex Otti has been accused by former Commissioner for Information Barrister Eze Chikamnayo of governing the state from his private residence instead of the newly constructed Government House in Umuahia. According to Chikamnayo, Otti has relocated the seat of power to his bedroom, which is 54 kilometres away from the state capital.

The new Government House was commissioned in May 2023 by former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, but Otti’s administration has raised concerns about the building’s readiness for use. The governor has cited structural defects and a lack of necessary facilities as reasons for not utilising the building.

Chikamnayo’s accusations have sparked a heated debate, with some lawyers supporting his call for Otti to return to the Government House. They argue that governing from a private residence undermines the dignity and authority of the office of the governor.

Furthermore, Chikamnayo has threatened to take legal action against Otti, seeking to nullify decisions made from the alleged private location. He claims that over 30 lawyers in Abia State support this move, which could potentially lead to a constitutional crisis.

The situation has raised questions about the governance and accountability of the Abia State government. If Otti is indeed governing from his private residence, it may impact the transparency and legitimacy of decision-making processes.

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