Otti Denies Political Motive in Sealing of Renewed Hope Office

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed claims that the sealing of the Renewed Hope Agenda office on Ojike Street, Umuahia, was politically driven, insisting that the action was part of a general enforcement exercise carried out by the state’s Harmonised Task Force.

Otti clarified the development in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha, following criticisms from opposition figures who alleged political victimisation.

The governor explained that the sealing had nothing to do with the political affiliation of the office owners.

According to him, “This enforcement was not politically motivated; rather, it was part of a general exercise targeting properties in default of statutory obligations.”

He warned against attaching political meanings to legitimate government enforcement activities.

Otti stated that the Harmonised Task Force had been enforcing court orders and carrying out a blanket operation on properties that failed to comply with statutory requirements across the state.

The statement noted that the property in question fell under this category, as the owner allegedly failed to respond to repeated requests for documentation.

“The owner of the property did not respond to demand notices requesting proof of compliance with payment of ground rent and other related charges,” the CPS said.

The governor added that the office was promptly unsealed after the matter was brought to his attention by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

Otti said the decision to reopen the building was taken pending the regularisation of the building’s documentation.

“The unsealing was promptly executed pending the regularisation of the building’s documentation,” the statement read.

The governor urged residents and political actors to desist from imputing false motives to the taskforce’s operations, stressing that government enforcement activities should not be politicised.

He maintained that the action was purely administrative and aimed at ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, not targeting any political group.