In this exclusive interview with Chief Inem Nwaka, a business mogul and an associate to Dr. Alex Otti OFR, he revealed some details concerning the trending petition letter purportedly written by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to Police Service Commission which demanded for the reinstatement of former Abia CP Ene Okon.

ENJOY THE INTERVIEW:

I believe you have read the letter purportedly written by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to Police Service Commission seeking for the reinstatement of Ene Okon as Police Commissioner in Abia State. What is your take on the letter itself?

Yes, I read it and was totally embarrassed that it should be coming from the Governor’s office at this period of serious global Covid-19 pandemic challenge. When the Governor talks of distraction from opposition, I have always maintained that it is an excuse for non-performance and lack of focus on tackling the mirage of problems that confronts governance. In other words, the letter can only be a self-distraction by the governor’s office, to create basis for further unacceptable excuses to failure in rising to the occasion in times like these.

In that letter, it was alleged that Alex Otti was behind the redeployment of Ene Okon, what is your take?

How can that be. You see when you consciously and unconsciously create imaginary enemies that never exist, you will keep on accusing the person of every misfortune unjustly, when in fact your real enemies are within you and your system. The Dr. Alex Otti, that I know is too busy and preoccupied that such negative plots can never find space in his thoughts or actions.

In the same letter, Otti was alleged to be a sponsor of IPOB and that he also sponsored the protest in Ohafia that went violent due to the killing of a youth by a drunk police officer as stated by the former CP Ene Okon.. What is your take on the allegation?

I wonder where they came up with such conclusion. IPOB are not spirits, but our brothers and sisters whose mode of operations are well known. To ascribe the sponsorship to Dr. Alex Otti, is to say the least, the governors lack of understanding of the issues IPOB has been rightly or wrongly clamoring for. That probably explains the mismanagement of IPOB agitations that have resulted in the numerous and needless loss of life and properties. And if we cannot understand the prevailing anger and hunger in the land that a little provocation to the extent that life is lost, occasioned by a drunk and indiscipline police personnel, will trigger off such an extreme reaction, then the Governor’s office is not in tune with reality.

How can we be sure that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu authored the letter, because he has either accepted or debunked the letter?

Silence sometimes is admission especially when you realize you goofed terribly and cannot reasonably defend your position.

In press statement or reaction by Alex Otti, he accused Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, his Chief of Staff and Commissioner for information of being behind the letter, do you think it is proper?

Dr. Alex Otti’s press release on the letter is very much in order, knowing fully the governor cannot act alone. In any case his position like he stated is based on credible information. It is just a pity that the Governor relied so much on misleading and uninformed advises to sign that letter. I have seen John Okiyi Kalu, the Commissioner’s reaction, which is in bad taste, full of personal insults. All I can tell him like a junior brother from Abiriba, is to avoid acquiring needless enmity while doing his job. There is life after office, which is the most difficult phase of life of any person that has served. Life journey is still very far.

Do you think the letter was an attempt to blackmail Alex Otti ahead of 2023?

It is not only an attempt at blackmail, but defamatory which are obviously actionable in law, immunity or not.

Otti also requested for an apology for the PSC board and for himself, would you advise Governor Ikpeazu to tender the apology?

He is very much in order to demand an apology in these circumstances. I will advise the Governor to go beyond apology but explore a genuine way of reconciling with not only Dr. Alex Otti, but all Abians that do not share his political views and bring everybody on board for the best interest of Abia. We cannot be in election mode all the time.

Finally, what is your advise for the Abia State Government ?

Abia State Government should realize that the Covid-19 pandemic is not only real but a wake up-call in proper assessment of our approach to our health care delivery system. Beyond Covid-19, Malaria, HIV, Ebola, Malnutrition, poverty is still with us. Needless distractions will do us no good. The Government should be grateful to Dr. Alex Otti, who pioneered private intervention, by making available, isolation centre, personal protective equipment (PPE) and sundry medical supplies to FMC, Living world hospital etc. I am also aware of the Ngozi Ekeoma led private initiative that is putting up a modern isolation ward that is almost 80% completion at FMC. Not to talk of numerous food palliatives to the people of Abia including, but not limited to that of Ugoena Chief David Onuoha Bourdex and so many public spirited individuals and sociocultural organizations across Abia. All efforts should be on how to save our people from hunger, covid19, and all diseases. This is not the time to be reporting our citizens to police or harass and intimidate citizens like Bar Emperor Ogbonna.