Gov Otti Didn’t Tell Fulani to Leave Abia, Says DMO GM Nwaigburu

Kingsley Nwaigburu, General Manager of the Abia State Debt Management Office, has refuted allegations made by former Finance Commissioner Obinna Oriaku that Governor Alex Otti banned Fulani cattle rearers from Umuajuju village in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

Oriaku had claimed on social media that some Fulani herders working for a local farmer were banned by order of the governor. Nwaigburu clarified on Friday that the ban was actually issued by three autonomous communities—Okporo Ahaba, Ike Ahaba, and Isi Ahaba—to protect their farms from cattle damage, based on past negative incidents.

He criticized Oriaku, now a Federal Character Commission Commissioner, for attempting to destabilize Abia with false claims, emphasizing that Governor Otti should not be implicated in a local community decision.

Nwaigburu described Governor Otti as a detribalized leader who has appointed people from various states into leadership roles in Abia. He further explained that herdsmen were only restricted from grazing on a community secondary school compound after classes resumed, to ensure student safety, recalling previous incidents involving herdsmen in the area.