The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has provided clarification regarding the absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s portraits in certain offices at the Abia Government House. In response to online discussions about the missing portraits, Otti’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, spoke on behalf of the governor and dismissed claims that the absence was due to a lack of recognition of Tinubu as the Nigerian president.

Ekeoma stated that while the state government does have the president’s portraits in some offices, they are not present in all offices, which also applies to the governor’s portraits. He further accused opposition groups in the state of sponsoring media reports aimed at discrediting the governor.

“We don’t have the governor’s portraits in most offices because this is a new government. We have placed some pictures and ordered for more. It has nothing to do with politics,” Ekeoma clarified. He emphasized that it would be illogical to suggest that a duly sworn-in president would not be recognized and added, “It doesn’t make sense, and we don’t think it is in that direction.”

The statement aims to address speculations and ensure that the absence of Tinubu’s portraits is not misconstrued as a deliberate act of political exclusion.