Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has become the subject of intense public debate following widespread claims that he has sued the Federal Government of Nigeria to a so-called “world court” over the refusal to approve the Aba Cargo Airport project. The reports allege that the governor accused the Federal Government of violating Nigerian law and deliberately marginalizing the South-East region.
However, as of the time of this report, there is no officially verified evidence that Abia State has instituted a case against Nigeria at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or any other recognized international court. What is evident is a deepening political and legal agitation around infrastructure development, regional equity, and federal authority.
The Core Allegations
According to narratives circulating online, Governor Otti’s alleged petition accuses the Federal Government of unlawfully refusing to approve the Aba Cargo Airport despite its economic importance. The refusal is framed as a clear violation of Nigerian law and an act of deliberate marginalization against the South-East.
The reports further suggest that the governor argued that continued denial of critical infrastructure has stifled economic growth in Abia State and the wider South-East, reinforcing long-standing regional disparities.
Economic Displacement and the South-East Question
A central argument attributed to Governor Otti is that the absence of a seaport or cargo airport in the South-East has forced many Igbo traders and industrialists to operate from Lagos. Aba, known as a major commercial and manufacturing hub, is often cited as a city whose economic potential remains constrained by logistics bottlenecks.
Supporters of the Aba Cargo Airport insist that the project would significantly boost exports, create jobs, and reduce over-dependence on Lagos as Nigeria’s dominant commercial gateway.
Claims of Rights Violations
One of the most controversial claims linked to the alleged petition is that Igbos are being killed and denied their rights in Lagos. While no publicly available legal filing substantiates this claim, it has reignited emotional and historical grievances about discrimination, insecurity, and exclusion faced by some South-Easterners outside their region.
These assertions, though politically charged, reflect a broader sense of alienation felt by segments of the population rather than conclusions established through judicial processes.
Public Outrage on Social Media
The controversy has sparked strong reactions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). One user questioned the intentions of the Nigerian state, writing: “What does the Nigeria government actually want from we Igbos? They don’t want us to exit Nigeria yet they keep oppressing us and denying us our rights!! This is beyond wickedness.” Such reactions underscore the depth of frustration and mistrust that now shapes public discourse around federal-regional relations.
Federal Authority and Infrastructure Approval
Under Nigeria’s constitutional and regulatory framework, strategic infrastructure such as airports and seaports fall under federal oversight and require federal approval, even when initiated by state governments. This arrangement has historically generated friction, particularly when approvals are delayed or denied without detailed public explanations.
While the Federal Government often cites concerns related to airspace management, security, economic viability, or regulatory compliance, critics argue that these reasons are not applied evenly across regions.
A Reflection of Deeper National Fault Lines
Beyond the question of whether a lawsuit exists, the Aba Cargo Airport controversy reflects deeper fault lines in Nigeria’s federal system. Issues of trust, equity, and balanced development continue to strain relations between the center and regions such as the South-East.
Key questions persist:
Why does the South-East still lack major economic gateways?
Are federal approvals applied uniformly across regions?
How can development be pursued without reinforcing perceptions of exclusion?
Conclusion
While claims that Abia State has taken Nigeria to a “world court” remain unverified and should be treated with caution, the debate they have triggered is real and consequential. The Aba Cargo Airport dispute has reopened sensitive conversations about federalism, inclusion, and fairness in national development.
As emotions intensify, analysts argue that clear communication, transparency, and genuine dialogue are essential to prevent misinformation from further inflaming regional tensions. Nigeria’s unity and stability, they insist, will depend not on denial or suppression, but on equitable development and mutual trust among its diverse peoples.
