Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed claims circulating that he intends to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling the reports as “false, baseless, and unfounded.”
In a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti clarified that he had neither held any meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State nor discussed any plans to defect.
“The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma over his alleged planned defection to the APC is completely devoid of substance and should be disregarded,” Ekeoma stated.
He explained that after attending the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, April 24, Governor Otti and a few other colleagues participated in a purely social event — the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma’s twin daughters — which had no political undertone.
“It is 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 always be taken in conjunction with the majority of Abians and his allies,” the statement read.
Ekeoma emphasized that any significant political decision by Governor Otti must be in the best interest of Abia citizens.
He also noted that although political movements towards 2027 are gathering steam, the governor remains focused on delivering good governance.
“Governor Otti strongly holds the view that less than two years into his administration, it is governance — not politics — that should dominate discussions in Abia State,” he said.
Reiterating Otti’s commitment to his party, Ekeoma concluded, “We wish to emphatically state that Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is not planning or discussing with anyone to defect to the APC or any other party, as falsely alleged.”
