The Abia State government has strongly rejected rumors about a potential teachers’ strike, blaming opposition groups for circulating false information aimed at misleading the public. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, addressed the issue in a press briefing in Umuahia, asserting that the claims were baseless. He emphasized that Governor Alex Otti’s strong support for teachers and workers made any industrial action unnecessary.
Kanu criticized opposition groups for using social media to spread malicious news, which he claimed was designed to undermine the governor’s reputation and his administration. He pointed out that these groups had fabricated statements the governor never made and would never make due to his principles and leadership.
He also warned that such actions could be in violation of the Cybercrime Act, especially since some rumors aimed to create divisions between the governor and the federal government or certain ethnic groups. Kanu stressed that while the government welcomed constructive criticism, it would not tolerate the spread of fake news.
In defending the administration’s record, Kanu highlighted Governor Otti’s 23-month tenure, noting the significant progress made compared to the 24 years under the previous opposition leadership. He also addressed concerns from teachers, announcing that the State Executive Council had tasked the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, with engaging the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to resolve any issues promptly.
