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Claim: A Facebook user, Maduka Ogwueleka, shared a claim that Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, said he has no business with Lagos State.
Verdict: FALSE. No credible media organisation reported such. Also, the Abia State governor’s aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, debunked the claim.
Full Text
The latest demolition exercise by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos State generated controversial reactions across the country.
During the 2023 General Elections, the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said the action was unjust and economically destructive. Victor Umeh, the senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, also condemned the action, saying that the demolition was illegal and a breach of jurisdiction on Federal lands in the state.
While the crisis remains unsettled, a Facebook user, Maduka Ogwueleka, claimed that Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, threatened to disassociate from Lagos State. Otti allegedly promised to develop Abia state beyond imagination, setting a high standard to divert economic activities from Lagos to Abia state.
According to the claim, Otti said, “I have no business with Lagos, I’m not competing with Lagos. My competition is with China and Dubai. By the time I’m done with Aba, Lagos will look like a village.”
As of Oct. 6, 2025, the post has garnered over 32,000 reactions, 7,400 comments, and 1,800 reshares since the Facebook user posted it on Oct. 3, 2025. We also found other Facebook users sharing the post here, here, here, and here.
DUBAWA identified many Facebook users in the comment section who believed the governor made such a statement. One Facebook user, Justice Gentlej, described Otti as his most trusted governor.
Okwuka Oluchi, another Facebook user, wrote, “That’s my governor talking.”
However, some users disputed the claim. Ekene Kingsley, who called the poster a liar, said, “He never said this.”
Princess Amadi, another user, said, “Under eight years or do you have more than eight years to stay in office? Just asking, no insults please.”
The virality of the claim and its implications on the relationship between the two states prompted DUBAWA to verify the information.
Verification
We analysed Otti’s public appearances since the demolition to identify any event where the statement was made. However, we found none, as of Oct. 8, 2025. We also used keyword search to verify if the governor made such a statement in a press release, but we could not find any.
Also, the fact that no credible media organisation reported the said statement was a red flag for DUBAWA. If Otti had made such a statement, credible news platforms would have widely reported it as an official reaction to the controversial demolition in Lagos state.
Instead, DUBAWA found a press release by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor’s aide on media and publicity, debunking the viral claim on Oct. 5, 2025. Ekeoma described Otti as a leader who resolves sensitive issues with his contemporaries by communicating appropriately when and where necessary.
“It’s therefore ridiculous for anyone to imagine that Governor Otti could have made such a reckless and unintelligent statement that bears the signature of arrogance, thoughtlessness, and divisiveness,” the statement reads.
The governor’s aide also said conflict resolution between Abia and Lagos states can be easily achieved, as both governors share a cordial relationship.
Conclusion
DUBAWA did not find any credible report of the statement attributed to the Abia State governor. Also, the governor’s aide debunked the claim. Therefore, the claim is false.
