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Following the commissioning of Geometric Power in Osisioma by President Bola Tinubu, a media war has erupted in Abia State between loyalists of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and present Governor Alex Otti regarding a 5% stake acquired by Ikpeazu’s administration in Geometrics Power. The Ikpeazu side, including John Okiyi Kalu, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Enyinnaya Appolos, Chinonye Mba, and Don Ubani, claim that the government acquired a 5% stake worth $5 million, with $3.6 million already paid to Geometrics. They argue that the investment was made with Abia people’s money and should be confirmed and protected.
Former Commissioner John Okiyi Kalu alleged that the State government awarded a road contract for a road that had already been built and handed over by the previous administration. He called for an investigation by the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the claimed investment in Geometric. The Ikpeazu side berated the current government and Geometrics Chairman, Professor Barth Nnaji, for not acknowledging the previous administration’s role in the power project.
In response, Governor Otti’s media aides, including Ferdinand Ekeoma and Dodoh Okafor, denied the reported investments in Geometrics, stating that no documents were handed over to the present administration by Ikpeazu. Ekeoma accused Ikpeazu of using his aides to attack the current government and dismissed the allegations as “primitive propaganda and rehearsed image laundering.” Governor Otti stated in an interview with Channels TV that there were no documents or information available regarding the 5% investment, but he directed his finance commissioner and Accountant General to investigate the matter.
Governor Otti acknowledged Ikpeazu’s involvement in the Geometric project, mentioning a trip to South Africa to sign a loan agreement, but he clarified that the government did not guarantee the loan and had no documentation of the 5% equity investment. He noted that Geometric was in a better position to address the specifics of the argument.
Overall, the dispute revolves around the alleged 5% stake in Geometrics Power that the Ikpeazu administration purportedly acquired with public funds. The Ikpeazu side insists on confirming and protecting this investment, while Governor Otti’s team denies its existence due to the lack of documentation provided by the former administration. The media war reflects broader political tensions between the two factions in Abia State over accountability, transparency, and the management of public resources.
