The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has condemned what it described as an attack on a journalist by Governor Alex Otti during a media chat held on Friday.

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

According to the PDP, Nwabueze was publicly insulted for asking what it described as a legitimate and professional question regarding data and measurable outcomes of government policies as they affect ordinary residents of the state.

The party maintained that it is the constitutional responsibility of the media to ask questions on behalf of the people, stressing that there was nothing improper about the inquiry directed at the governor.

“We state clearly that there is nothing improper, offensive, or unintelligent about a journalist requesting empirical evidence of governance outcomes. Such questions lie at the very heart of responsible journalism and democratic accountability.

“When legitimate questions are met with personal attacks rather than facts, it diminishes public discourse, erodes confidence in leadership, and projects intolerance for accountability.

“An attack on a journalist for performing this duty is an affront not only to the individual concerned but also to the media organization he represents and to the people of Abia State whose interests he sought to articulate,” the statement read.

The PDP called on the governor to respect press freedom and respond to public inquiries with verifiable data in the interest of transparency and accountability.

However, reacting to the controversy, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, defended his principal. He stated that the Don FM journalist should have assessed the verifiable impact of the governor’s performance, particularly citing the rehabilitation of the Ohokobo-Afara Road in Umuahia, which he noted leads to Nwabueze’s residence.

The exchange has since generated debate among political stakeholders and media practitioners in the state over the role of journalists and the responsibility of public office holders in democratic governance.