Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has defended his continued affiliation with the Labour Party (LP) despite the party’s disappointing performance in the recent local government elections.
Speaking during his monthly media chat with journalists and residents at the Banquet Hall in Umuahia, Otti attributed the LP’s poor showing in the November 2 polls across all 17 local government areas of the state to the ongoing internal leadership crises within the party, both at the state and national levels.
The governor acknowledged that many of his supporters had defected from the Labour Party to contest the elections under different political platforms.
However, he clarified that while he could not prevent them from pursuing their political ambitions with other parties, he himself remained a committed member of the Labour Party.
“Political parties are platforms for individuals to achieve their political goals. I remain a member of the Labour Party, and I have given my supporters the freedom to join any party of their choosing,” Otti said.
He explained that the internal turmoil within the party had led many to abandon the LP during the local government elections, as people are more discerning when it comes to choosing the right political platform.
Otti also addressed the ongoing detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), confirming that he has been engaging with the federal government to push for Kanu’s release.
While he did not divulge the specifics of his efforts, Otti expressed optimism that the IPOB leader, who hails from Abia, would soon be freed.
In addition, the governor revealed that 10 individuals involved in pension fraud in the state would be brought before the courts soon.
He also hinted that efforts were underway to extradite other individuals implicated in the scam who are currently residing in foreign countries, so they can face justice in Abia.
Addressing the issue of security in the state, Otti confirmed that his administration had directed security agencies to investigate and apprehend those responsible for the recent killing of a banker and two others by gunmen in Umuahia.
He vowed to ensure that those behind the murders would be brought to justice.
