The Abia State Government has dismissed allegations by former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Charles Ogbonna, that Governor Alex Otti described Ngwa people as “people without brain.”

Ogbonna reportedly made the allegation in a trending video, claiming that Otti personally told him that Ngwa people had no brain. He also said he would provide evidence to support the claim if challenged to do so.

Reacting to the allegation on Thursday, the state government described it as false and accused the former commissioner of making statements intended to discredit the governor.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said in a statement that Otti holds the Ngwa people in high regard and had never made such a remark about them, either publicly or privately.

Ekeoma said the governor had demonstrated his regard for Ndi Ngwa and other Abians through what he described as equitable appointments, projects and government policies across the state.

He also challenged Ogbonna to produce the evidence he claimed to possess.

Ekeoma argued that Ogbonna's account was contradictory, noting that the former commissioner had said Otti told him he was from Nvosi in Ngwa before alleging that the governor described Ngwa people as brainless.

The governor's aide further alleged that Ogbonna's comments amounted to an attempt to promote clannish sentiments and incitement for political purposes.

The government consequently urged the former commissioner to refrain from making statements that could undermine peace in Abia State.