Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti,
The Labour Party has denied rumors suggesting that Abia Governor, Alex Otti, plans to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, clarified that the rumors of Otti’s defection were unfounded.
These rumors have circulated amidst speculation that as many as five first-term opposition governors might defect to the APC in preparation for the 2027 elections.
The governors reportedly include Dr. Alex Otti of Abia, Peter Mba of Enugu, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, and Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom.
While four of these governors belong to the PDP, Otti is affiliated with the Labour Party.
However, Ifoh stated that the claim about Otti joining the APC was “a mere rumor” and expressed confidence that it would remain just that.
He emphasized, “For us in Labour Party, we are in touch with our governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and he has assured us that he is not going anywhere, ahead of 2027. We believe that he will stay with us, irrespective of some of the issues which we are working hard to resolve.”
Ifoh also pointed out that political defections are common in democratic systems, but reaffirmed that Otti has no plans to switch parties.
“The courts have come up several times to make interpretation as regards Section 84 of the 1999 Constitution, and many people who had defected at one time or the other had been challenged in court,” he noted.
“So, if five governors are planning to defect, it won’t be a new thing, as it had happened in the past.”
Addressing the rumors surrounding Otti, Ifoh suggested that the speculation might stem from some opposition governors struggling with leadership challenges in their states.
Despite this, he stressed that the rumors about Otti’s defection lacked any truth or credibility, adding, “We are good in Labour Party and our governor is with us, and we are hoping that by 2027, we will have more governors in our fold.”
Ifoh’s statements come amid reports that some PDP governors are considering joining the APC, with reports suggesting these governors have been engaging with President Bola Tinubu and attending private meetings or project inaugurations in their states.
It has also been reported that the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Sen. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, has been actively courting opposition governors to join the APC.
