Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A coalition of former governors, legislators, and political appointees who served in Abia State between 1999 and 2023 has announced plans to institute legal action against Governor Alex Otti over his continued operation from his private residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, rather than the official Government House in Umuahia. The decision marks a fresh escalation in political tensions within the state and signals a rare convergence of former leaders across different administrations against a sitting governor.
The resolution to pursue legal action was reached during the second meeting of the group, which was held at the residence of former Governor Theodore Orji. According to sources familiar with the meeting, discussions focused extensively on what the group described as a breach of constitutional and administrative norms by the incumbent governor. Members reportedly agreed that the matter had moved beyond political disagreement and required judicial interpretation and intervention.
The team is made up of prominent political figures who have played key roles in Abia State’s governance since the return to democratic rule in 1999. Among them are former governors Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji, and Okezie Ikpeazu, as well as former legislators and political appointees who served at both state and federal levels during the 24-year period under review. Their collective experience, they argue, gives them both the standing and responsibility to challenge what they see as an institutional anomaly.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting on Friday, the group stated unequivocally that a lawsuit should be filed to compel Governor Otti to relocate his official operations from his private home to the Government House in Umuahia. The communique described the continued use of a personal residence for official state business as unacceptable and inconsistent with established conventions of governance in Abia State and Nigeria at large.
The communique was read to journalists by Victor Ike Oye, a former media aide in the Abia State Government. Speaking on behalf of the group, Oye said members were dismayed that nearly two years into his administration, Governor Otti was yet to fully occupy and operate from the Government House, which is the constitutionally recognized seat of executive authority in the state. According to the group, the situation raises concerns about transparency, accessibility, security, and the symbolism of state power.
The former officials argued that the Government House is not merely a residential facility but an important public institution designed to host official engagements, receive dignitaries, and serve as a central hub for executive administration. They maintained that operating from a private residence blurs the line between personal and public space, potentially undermining public confidence in governance and setting what they described as a dangerous precedent.
While acknowledging that some governors in the past had temporarily operated from alternative locations due to renovations or security concerns, the group insisted that such arrangements were clearly defined, limited in duration, and backed by official explanations. In contrast, they contended that Governor Otti’s continued use of his private residence lacked sufficient justification and had become normalized without formal clarification to the people of the state.
The communique emphasized that the proposed lawsuit would not be driven by personal animosity but by a desire to protect institutional integrity. Members said the court should be allowed to determine whether the governor’s actions conform with constitutional provisions, public service rules, and long-established administrative practices. They expressed confidence that judicial pronouncement on the matter would strengthen democratic norms in the state.
Beyond the issue of the Government House, the meeting also touched on national politics. The group declared its readiness to work collectively for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, signaling alignment with the current federal administration despite the varied party affiliations of some of its members in the past. The declaration was framed as a commitment to national stability and continuity of policies, rather than partisan loyalty.
In the same vein, the group expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what it described as the nomination of one of its members, former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, as an ambassador. Members hailed the nomination as recognition of service and experience, and as evidence that the federal government values the contributions of Abia State political leaders to national development.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions within Abia State. Supporters of Governor Otti argue that the focus on his place of operation is a distraction from governance outcomes and reforms his administration claims to be pursuing. They maintain that the governor’s physical location does not diminish the legality of his decisions or the effectiveness of his leadership, particularly if state business is being conducted efficiently.
Others, however, say the issue raises valid constitutional and ethical questions that deserve serious consideration. They point out that symbols and structures of governance matter in a democratic system and that adherence to established norms helps reinforce accountability and public trust. Some legal practitioners have also noted that the matter could test the extent of executive discretion in choosing operational bases within a state.
So far, Governor Otti and the Abia State Government have not issued an official response to the threat of litigation. It remains unclear whether the administration intends to challenge the claims directly, offer a legal justification for its current arrangement, or consider relocating operations to the Government House in order to defuse the controversy.
Political analysts note that the involvement of three former governors from different eras gives the move added weight and could shape public perception. They also observe that the planned lawsuit, if filed, would place the judiciary at the center of an unusual dispute that blends constitutional interpretation, administrative practice, and political rivalry.
As preparations for the legal action continue, attention is expected to shift to the specific reliefs the plaintiffs intend to seek and the constitutional provisions they will rely on. Whether the courts will view the matter as justiciable or as falling within the discretionary powers of the executive remains to be seen.
For now, the announcement underscores deepening fault lines in Abia State’s political landscape and sets the stage for a legal confrontation that could redefine expectations around the conduct of executive authority at the state level. Whatever the outcome, the case is likely to resonate beyond Abia, as other states watch closely for its implications on governance norms across the federation.
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