Abia Deputy Governor Denies Threatening Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu, 2027 Elections

The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, has strongly denied allegations that he threatened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Mba, the deputy governor described as false and fabricated a report claiming that he vowed to “teach Tinubu a bitter lesson” politically if Kanu was not released.

The controversial publication, titled “2027: Abia State Govt Will Teach Tinubu A Bitter Lesson Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention — Deputy Governor Emetu,” was dismissed by the deputy governor’s office as a deliberate misrepresentation intended to mislead the public and inflame political tension.

According to the statement, no such remarks were ever made at any official function, interview, press briefing, or public engagement.

“The report in question is entirely false, lacks verifiable context, and fails to provide essential media attributes such as the date, venue, or occasion where such remarks were allegedly made,” the statement read.

“At no time did the Deputy Governor threaten to ‘teach’ President Bola Tinubu or any member of his family a ‘bitter political lesson,’ nor did he make the reckless remarks credited to him concerning the 2027 general elections or the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.”

The statement further emphasized that the language attributed to Emetu does not reflect his temperament, leadership style, or commitment to democratic values.

Describing himself as a responsible public office holder, the deputy governor reiterated his dedication to civil discourse, constitutional processes, and issue-based politics. He maintained that while the matter of Nnamdi Kanu — leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) — remains a sensitive national issue that evokes strong emotions among many citizens, it should be handled through lawful and dialogue-driven mechanisms rather than inflammatory rhetoric.

“He does not subscribe to threats, political intimidation, or divisive statements,” the statement added.

The deputy governor’s office also expressed concern over what it described as unethical journalism, accusing the media platform that carried the story of publishing serious allegations without proper verification or direct confirmation.

“Fabricated quotations attributed to public officials are not only unethical but capable of heightening political tension and misleading the public,” the statement noted.

Emetu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Abia State governor in delivering good governance, advancing development projects, and strengthening democratic institutions within the state.

The denial comes amid heightened political discourse surrounding the detention of Nnamdi Kanu and growing conversations about the 2027 elections. The issue has remained a focal point in the South-East, where many stakeholders continue to express varying opinions on the legal and political implications of his case.

While reactions to the alleged remarks have been mixed across political and social media platforms, the Abia State Government insists that the deputy governor remains focused on governance and will not be distracted by what it described as unfounded allegations.

The development highlights the increasingly charged political atmosphere ahead of 2027, as public officials and political actors navigate sensitive national issues under intense public scrutiny.