The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, has condemned recent verbal assault on the journalist Chika Nwabueze of Don Media Group, who was publicly insulted and humiliated by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti during question and answer session of a media chat organised by the governor.

In a viral video posted on social media, the journalist asked the governor if he could provide verifiable data as evidence that his policies have improved the economic and living conditions of the people of Abia beyond infrastructural development. Rather than respond to the question, Otti verbally attacked the journalist, thereby, humiliating him and referring to him as ‘stupid’.

According to IPC-SPJ Hub, the governor should not have organised media chat if he was not willing to subject himself and his administration to public scrutiny.

Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, described the governor’s angry reaction as very condescending and not expected of an elected leader who has the responsibility to give account to the citizens who voted him into office.

To him, “Nwabueze was within his constitutional and professional rights as a journalist to ask the governor the question. Any public figure, especially a duty bearer, for that matter, should expect to be subjected to public scrutiny. The journalist’s question was an opportunity for the governor to give further details on his performance.”

To this end, Arogundade called on the governor to publicly apologise to the affected journalist for hauling unwarranted insults on him.

He also reminded all public office holders to always be ready at all times to be held accountable.