Former Lawmaker Calls on Abians to Unite in Defence of Democracy

Former Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chijioke Chukwu, has urged opposition political parties and the people to unite in defence of democracy in the state.

Chukwu who spoke on Sunday while reacting to the recent revocation of the lease contract for Abia Hotels, Umuahia, by the state government, alleged a coordinated attempt by the Abia State Government to suppress dissenting voices.

Recall that the state government had recently revoked the contract for an alleged breach of agreement, but the hotel management described the move as illegal and threatened action.

Reacting to the development, Chukwu, a chieftain of All Progressives Party (APC), accused the government of vindictiveness, harassment and intimidation of the opposition.

He alleged that the revocation was politically motivated, saying that it was triggered by the APC hosting a rally at the hotel premises on Oct.5, 2025, which drew a large turnout of supporters.

The former lawmaker, who represented Bendel North in the 7th Abia Assembly, also alleged that the Labour Party–led administration demolished a private property worth billions at the Trademore Complex, Umuahia, without paying compensation.

The APC chieftain who also serves as a member of the North West Development Commission Board, argued that such action would discourage investors from considering Abia for business.

He accused the government of attempting to shut down an event centre in Osisioma, where the APC recently held another rally, an action he described as further evidence of intolerance toward the opposition.

The former lawmaker faulted what he described as government’s growing hostility toward dissenting voices, revealing that he enjoyed freedom of expression as an opposition member before the 2023 elections.

Chukwu called on opposition members and the people at large to unite and resist what he described as moves by Gov. Alex Otti’s administration to clamp down on dissent just as he warned that such actions pose a threat to democratic principles in the state.