Abia Govt Distances Otti Administration From KepukepuTV, Describes Him as Independent Content Creator | #NwokeukwuMascot

 News 

Umuahia, Abia State — The Abia State Government has formally distanced itself from the activities and public statements of popular social media personality Tochukwu Ogbuagu, better known as KepukepuTV, clarifying that he is neither an official of the state government nor an authorised spokesperson for Governor Alex Otti or his administration.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued by Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, Director General of the Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau, following growing concerns over KepukepuTV’s social media posts and representations concerning projects of the Otti administration.

The statement, titled “KEPUKEPU AND THE ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT,” said the clarification became necessary after members of the public, including supporters of Governor Otti, began questioning whether the views and positions expressed by KepukepuTV represented the official position of the Abia State Government.

Ememanka explained that while KepukepuTV had contributed significantly to public awareness of projects and activities of the Otti administration, his activities should not be confused with official government communication.

“However, the position is that Kepukepu is not an official of the Abia State Government and does not speak for the Otti administration,” the statement said.

“He is not an employee of the Abia State Government and consequently, his views and opinions on any issue do not, by any stretch of the imagination, represent the official position of the Government of Abia State or that of Governor Alex Otti.”

The government further described Ogbuagu as a “private citizen journalist” and an “Independent Content Creator”, noting that he had built a significant following through his distinctive approach to documenting and narrating developments across the state.

According to the statement, KepukepuTV has used his platform to provide visibility for several projects undertaken by the Otti administration, combining what the government described as his own brand of photojournalism with personal narration.

“No one can deny the fact that the young man, through his activities, has given visibility to a lot of the projects of the Otti administration,” Ememanka stated.

He added that it would be unfair to deny KepukepuTV credit for the role he had played in disseminating information about government projects to his followers.

The government, however, drew a clear line between his independent activities and official government communication, stressing that his passion for documenting government projects does not confer official status on him.

“He is passionate about what he does but passion, no matter how deeply ingrained, cannot translate into officialdom,” the statement noted.

The clarification comes amid public scrutiny of some of the projects and claims attributed to the Otti administration through KepukepuTV’s online content, particularly the Osisioma–Ekeakpara Road, which he claimed the government had commenced its full reconstruction.

Questions have been raised in some quarters over the status of certain projects presented on his platforms, with some observers questioning whether the projects were completed, ongoing, or sufficiently established to support the descriptions attached to them.

Watch Video Below 👇 

Against that backdrop, the government’s latest statement makes clear that any representations, descriptions or opinions expressed by KepukepuTV are made in his personal capacity and should not be interpreted as official government communication.

Ememanka also acknowledged the popularity and work ethic of the content creator, describing him as a hard-working individual who had successfully built his own brand.

“Governor Otti is a very marketable leader and as such Kepukepu’s popularity in the information superhighway is quite understandable. Kepukepu is a hard worker who deserves respect for his work on his brand,” he said.

The government further emphasised that accredited spokespersons for the Abia State Government and the Otti administration are known, and that official positions of government should only be attributed to duly authorised channels and officials.

“When Kepukepu speaks or writes, he does so in his personal capacity and not for the Otti administration, something that is within his democratic right to do,” the statement said.

It consequently cautioned the public against attributing KepukepuTV’s views, commentaries or representations directly to the Abia State Government or Governor Otti.

“Neither the Abia State Government nor Governor Alex Otti can be held directly nor vicariously liable for his views under any guise whatsoever,” Ememanka stated.

The clarification effectively places KepukepuTV outside the official communication structure of the Abia State Government while recognising his independent role as a content creator whose coverage has helped draw public attention to government activities.

The state government therefore urged members of the public to be properly guided, stressing the distinction between independent digital content and official government communication.