Group Raises Concern Over False Narratives In Ariaria, Aba

A Civil Society Organization, known as Abia Coalition For Justice and Equity (ACJE), has raised concern over what it described as “ongoing attempt to vilify and undermine the transformational efforts of Dr. Alex Otti, the Executive Governor of Abia State.

In a statement on Sunday the group accused media allies of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Kalu of a now viral video showing heaps of refuse around the Ariaria International Market, Aba.

According to the statement which was signed by its convener, Comrade Okwute Otuonye, the said video allegedly surfaced over the weekend but it however added that a private investigation on the matter proved otherwise.

It said, “However, independent investigations carried out in the early hours of November 7, 2025, reveal that the environment around Ariaria International Market is clean, vibrant, and bustling with normal business activities. The videos in circulation have been confirmed to be old clips, deliberately recycled to mislead the public and smear the image of the current administration.”

It further regretted that instead of engaging in constructive leadership to deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to his constituency, the Deputy Speaker and his cronies have chosen the path of reckless misinformation and media manipulation, adding that the move is an act of desperation that only exposes a growing frustration in the face of visible and people-oriented progress across Abia State.

“It is regrettable that rather than engage in constructive leadership or deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to his constituency, the Deputy Speaker and his cronies have chosen the path of reckless misinformation and media manipulation. This act of desperation only exposes a growing frustration in the face of visible and people-oriented progress across Abia State.”

The release further lashed out at the Deputy Speaker, for playing to the gallery while his constituency reeks of abandoned , failed and poorly executed projects by him, with mention of the failed borehole projects in Okoko Item and the collapsed ecological roads in Nkpa, both in Bende Local Government Area.

“It is an open fact that many of the projects credited to the Deputy Speaker within Bende Federal Constituency have been plagued by poor execution and abandonment—ranging from failed borehole projects in Okoko Item to collapsed ecological roads in Nkpa. Despite funds released for remedial works, these projects remain in disrepair, raising serious questions about accountability and representation.”

It therefore urged the general public to disregard the claims by the video, as the Ariaria International Market remains clean and bustling with business activities.

“The public is hereby urged to disregard the false claims being circulated and to remain steadfast in their support for genuine transformation and progress in Abia State.”