Abia State Moves to Tackle Spread of Fake News and Protect Public Trust

The Abia State government has announced a firm commitment to clamp down on individuals or groups engaged in spreading misleading information and deliberate falsehood against the state.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this disclosure on Monday during a media briefing after the weekly executive council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

According to him, while the present administration will not resort to the repressive tactics used by past governments to silence critics, it will also not allow malicious actors to destabilize the state with fake reports.

“This government will not operate like previous administrations that used a gestapo-style approach to arrest and intimidate citizens, thereby trampling on their rights. However, we will not sit idly by while a few individuals intentionally mislead the public with outright falsehoods about the Abia government,” Kanu stressed.

Rising Concerns Over Spread of Falsehood

The Commissioner raised concerns about the alarming trend of fabricated reports circulating across media platforms, noting that such activities not only misinform the public but also threaten peace and unity in the state. He emphasized that the administration is fully transparent and not withholding information from citizens.

Kanu reiterated that those responsible for creating and distributing harmful narratives against the state would face the law, as the government intends to protect the integrity of governance and shield the public from deliberate misinformation.

Strengthening Governance and Economic Management

During the briefing, Kanu also announced that Friday Kalu Ohuche had officially been sworn in as the Chief Economic Adviser of Abia State. In addition, Governor Otti inaugurated the State’s Economic Management Team, which will provide guidance on financial and developmental matters.

He clarified that the establishment of the new economic management team does not dissolve or replace the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council. The council remains intact with respected members including:

• Sanusi Mohammad, Emir of Kano
• Arunma Otteh, former Vice President of the World Bank
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization
• Bolaji Balogun, renowned investment banker

This dual framework, according to the Commissioner, will ensure Abia benefits from both localized economic strategies and global expertise, thereby strengthening governance and economic progress.

The Commissioner concluded by reaffirming the Otti administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, stressing that while citizens are free to express their views, they must not abuse this freedom by spreading unfounded allegations.