By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the exchange of words between Governor Alex Otti and the Group News Editor of Don FM Umuahia, Mr. Chika Nwabueze during the Governor’s media chat on Friday.
In statement signed by its Chairman, Abraham Amah, the PDP expressed concern over the comments attributed to Governor Otti, condemning that Nwabueze was publicly insulted for asking a legitimate and professional question regarding data and measurable outcomes of government policies as they affect the lives of ordinary people.
The PDP Chairman argued that it was the constitutional role of the media to ask questions on behalf of the people, saying that there was nothing bad about the question the Governor was asked.
“We state clearly that there is nothing improper, offensive, or unintelligent about a journalist requesting empirical evidence of governance outcomes. Such questions lie at the very heart of responsible journalism and democratic accountability.
“When legitimate questions are met with personal attacks rather than facts, it diminishes public discourse, erodes confidence in leadership, and projects intolerance for accountability.
“An attack on a journalist for performing this duty is an affront not only to the individual concerned but also to the media organization he represents and to the people of Abia State whose interests he sought to articulate”, Abia PDP said.
The party called for respect to the freedom of the press, while urging him to respond to public inquiries about verifiable data for the purpose of accountability.
But responding to the matter, the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha said that “the Don FM Journalist should have measured the verifiable impact of Otti’s performance with the rehabilitated Ohokobo-Afara Road in Umuahia”, which the CPS said led to Nwabueze’s residence.