The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has faulted Governor Alex Otti over his recent altercation with a journalist during a media chat held on Friday.

In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Abraham Amah, the opposition party expressed concern over remarks allegedly made by the governor during an exchange with the Group News Editor of Don FM Umuahia, Mr. Chika Nwabueze.

According to the PDP, the journalist was publicly berated for posing what it described as a legitimate question seeking data and measurable outcomes of government policies and their impact on residents of the state.

The party insisted that questioning public officials on governance performance is a constitutional duty of the media and a cornerstone of democratic accountability.

“There is nothing improper, offensive, or unintelligent about a journalist requesting empirical evidence of governance outcomes. Such questions lie at the heart of responsible journalism,” the statement read.

It further warned that responding to legitimate inquiries with personal attacks rather than verifiable facts weakens public confidence and undermines constructive discourse.

“An attack on a journalist performing his duty is not just against the individual but against the institution he represents and the people of Abia State,” the PDP stated.

The party urged Governor Otti to uphold press freedom and provide clear, verifiable data when addressing public concerns.

However, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, defended his principal’s response. He argued that the journalist should have acknowledged tangible achievements of the administration, particularly referencing the rehabilitation of the Ohokobo-Afara Road in Umuahia, which he said leads to Nwabueze’s residence.

The incident has sparked conversations among political actors and media practitioners in the state regarding the balance between government accountability and public communication in a democratic setting.