The Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on New Media, Mr. Leo Ekene Oketa, has described allegations made by Charles Otu against the governor as “political theatre,” insisting that any genuine claim of harassment, intimidation or persecution should be backed by evidence.
Oketa made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while reacting to Otu’s allegations and protest in Abuja.
According to him, there is a difference between raising a legitimate complaint and staging what he described as political theatre.
“There is a difference between raising a legitimate complaint and staging political theatre. Charles Otu chose the latter,” Oketa said.
He argued that if anyone genuinely believes Governor Nwifuru directed the Commissioner of Police to harass, intimidate or persecute Otu, the appropriate response would be to present evidence and pursue the matter through the relevant legal and institutional channels.
Oketa said travelling from Abakaliki to Abuja to stage a protest, make derogatory allegations and attempt to create what he described as a persecution narrative does not, by itself, establish the truth of the allegations.
He maintained that serious allegations should be subjected to evidence and due process rather than being driven by political rhetoric.
The governor’s aide also said Governor Nwifuru had no reason to be distracted by what he described as political noise, stressing that the administration’s record was before the people of Ebonyi State.
He cited areas including education, healthcare, agriculture, human capital development, infrastructure and the empowerment of citizens as key areas where he said the administration’s performance could be assessed.
“Evidence should answer allegations. Performance should answer propaganda. Ebonyi will not be distracted,” Oketa stated.
He reiterated that anyone with evidence against the governor should present it through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.
