Gov Otti Reveals Why Renewed Hope Agenda Office was Sealed

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has clarified that the closure of the Renewed Hope Agenda office on Ojike Street, Umuahia, had nothing to do with politics, despite how opposition figures have tried to spin the narrative.

He explained that the state’s Harmonised Task Force sealed the premises as part of “a blanket enforcement of court orders”, a routine action rather than a targeted one.

However, Governor Otti noted—through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha—that he ordered the immediate unsealing of the property once the issue was brought to his attention by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

He warned against assigning false intentions to the operations of the Harmonised Task Force, stressing that the action carried no political undertones whatsoever.

“This enforcement was not politically motivated; rather, it was part of a general exercise targeting properties in default of statutory obligations,” the statement said.

Providing reasons for the sealing of the property, the statement said: “Ground Rent has been owed since 1982, with the lease expiring on December 31, 2025.”

It added that the property owner had ignored several demand notices seeking proof of payment for ground rent and other statutory charges.

According to the statement, a court order authorising the sealing was secured only after officials presented evidence showing that the demand notices had been duly served.

It further read: “The enforcement exercise, which began in August 2025, targeted 83 properties in Umuahia and 91 in Aba.”

The statement read that a significant number of affected property owners have since complied with the court orders.

The statement also read that “churches, hospitals, and schools are exempt from sealing due to the social services they render.”

It cited examples of responsive actions taken in some instances to include the unsealing of property belonging to the Sam Mbakwe family; the unsealing of a radio station; and the unsealing of a property in use by a government agency.

The statement said “strict instructions have been issued to the Harmonised Task Force to ensure enforcement is carried out without compromise”.

“However, the unsealing of 36, Ojike Lane reflects the government’s responsiveness to emerging issues. While enforcement remains uncompromised, sensitive matters will receive greater oversight to ensure fairness and political balance,”, the statement concluded.