Nmeregini Tackles Evulogu Over Attacks on Otti, Warns Against ‘Using Ibeku Name’

The Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, has condemned what he described as the “incessant attacks” on Governor Alex Otti by Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, popularly known as Evulogu, warning him against using the name of Ibeku to advance personal political interests.

Meregini, who spoke from his country home Umuana Ndume Ibeku, in Umuahia North L.G.A while speaking with journalists, said it was unacceptable for Chief Ogbonnaya to repeatedly invoke “Ibeku land” whenever he criticises the governor, stressing that such references do not represent the position of the people of Ibeku.

According to him, Ibeku has benefited significantly from the Otti administration through road infrastructure, healthcare, erosion control, schools and other development projects.

He listed the completed and ongoing projects to include Dozie Way; Orpet-Umuafai-Lodu-Ahiaeke-Ndume Road; Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende Road; Madonna Hospital Road; Justice Okoroafor Close; IBB Way; the six-lane Ossah-Ibeku Road, now Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard; Amuzukwu-Mbom-Umueze Road; Ehimiri Ring Road and sections of the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia corridor.

He also cited the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road and the rehabilitation of several primary healthcare centres and erosion-prone areas across Ibeku.

The number two lawmaker in the Abia State House of Assembly further noted that several Ibeku sons and daughters occupy strategic positions in the Otti administration, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu; and other appointees serving in various government agencies and institutions.

He therefore questioned the basis for portraying Ibeku as marginalised under the present administration.

The Deputy Speaker also accused Ogbonnaya of being part of previous administrations whose policies, according to him, adversely affected some Ibeku communities, particularly over land and market-related issues. He alleged that the acquisition of portions of land at Ndume Ibeku and the sale of Ogwumabiri Market occurred during periods when Ogbonnaya was influential in government.

Meregini said it was ironic that Ogbonnaya now invokes the interests of Ibeku while, according to him, the present administration is addressing some of the grievances arising from those past actions.

He pointed to the recovery and redevelopment of the former Ogwumabiri Market site into the Prof. Nnenna Oti Central Bus Terminal as an example of what he described as the Otti administration’s commitment to restoring public assets and creating economic opportunities.

“Ibeku people are discerning and will not allow anyone to appropriate their collective name for personal political purposes,” Meregini said.

He urged Ogbonnaya to direct his criticisms at Governor Otti personally rather than presenting them as the collective position of Ndi Ibeku.

Meregini declared that he and other Ibeku stakeholders would continue to support development initiatives that benefit the people, adding that they were prepared to mobilise support for Governor Otti ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Enough is enough. Ibeku will not be used as a political weapon against a government whose projects and appointments have impacted positively on our people,” he said.