Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has refuted claims that he is planning to leave the Labour Party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, the platform that brought him to office, and described the rumours of defection as baseless.
The governor also refuted allegations of holding secret meetings with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to discuss a move to the APC. He urged the public to disregard the speculation, calling it a fabrication with no substance.
Otti stressed that any political decision with significant implications for Abia residents would involve consultation and transparency.
He further cautioned against fueling unnecessary political tension ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasizing that the focus should remain on governance and delivering on promises to the people, not premature politicking.
Below is a full text of a statement issued by Ekeoma on Saturday: ”The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State over his alleged planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is false, baseless and unfounded. It’s completely devoid of substance and thus should be disregarded.
“After the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, April 24, Governor Otti and a few of his colleagues joined Governor Uzodinma to attend the birthday celebration of his twin daughters, an event that had nothing to do with politics.
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“It’s natural for Governor Otti’s impressive performance, popularity and towering credentials as the Governor of Abia State to attract admiration and permutations from interested parties, however, Governor Otti’s political decisions, especially those that would have huge impact and far-reaching consequences on Abians, would at all times be taken in conjunction with majority of Abians and his allies. Such decisions must be justified and be seen to be in the overriding interest of Abia people.
“Governor Otti strongly holds the view that though political activities seem to have once again started gathering momentum, it would be unfair to the Abia electorate if politics of 2027, instead of governance is allowed to dominate discussions less than two years into the administration.
“Finally, we wish to emphatically state that Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is presently not planning or discussing with anyone to defect to the APC or any other party for that matter as falsely alleged.”
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