Tensions surrounding the proposed Abia Airport project in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, have escalated as landowners accuse the state government of spreading misinformation and bypassing due process in acquiring ancestral lands.
The aggrieved landowners condemned what they described as “blatant lies and manipulation” by the Abia State government, alleging discrepancies in land measurement, lack of proper representation, and a flawed compensation process.
A state High Court in Okpualangwa had earlier ordered a suspension of government activities on the disputed land pending the outcome of a legal suit filed by the landowners.
The plaintiffs argue that the government initiated the airport project without following legal procedures or engaging the affected community transparently.
In a statement issued by Mr. Azu Ogbuokri on behalf of the Nsulu landowners, the group denounced recent comments by Uzo Azubuike, a government appointee they claim has no stake in the land.
They described him as a “government proxy” with no mandate to speak for actual landowners.
“We remain resolute in our demands,” Ogbuokri said, calling for a reduction in the land area designated for the airport, transparency in the land acquisition process, and fair compensation for affected families.
He also reminded the public that the matter remains before the court and urged community members to ignore misleading claims about new compensation arrangements.
The landowners expressed outrage over a circulating document dated June 12, 2025, which claimed that the governor had approved recommendations for compensation on “compassionate grounds.”
They viewed this as further evidence of conflicting narratives aimed at sowing confusion and undermining their legal challenge.
“If the governor claims he has paid all landowners, why is a second approval needed?” one landowner asked anonymously.
“The inconsistencies are deliberate. Azubuike told us to sign indemnity forms, now he’s saying we should wait. Who is he really speaking for?”
They criticized Azubuike’s shifting statements, questioning the authenticity of the meetings he claims to have held and the people he purports to represent.
“He’s only trying to clean up the confusion they created,” another landowner remarked.
Beyond compensation, the landowners say the dispute highlights broader concerns about fairness, transparency, and community inclusion in major state projects.
With the matter still in court, the future of the Abia Airport project remains uncertain.
The conflict underscores the need for honest engagement, fair representation, and lawful procedures in any land acquisition involving traditional communities.