Governor Alex Otti has debunked widespread rumours suggesting he may be planning to leave the Labour Party (LP) for either the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the newly formed opposition coalition gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a dinner in Umuahia on Tuesday, the Abia governor firmly denied any involvement in ongoing realignments, stating categorically that he has no plans to defect and remains focused on delivering his mandate to the people of the state.
“I’m still a member of the Labour Party and I’m not looking for where to decamp to,” Otti said.
“People have been asking me if I’m part of the coalition. My response is: have you seen my name? Have you seen me attending the coalition meeting?”
Governor Otti's remarks come amid a wave of political defections across the country and the recent adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by prominent opposition figures as a platform to challenge the APC in 2027. His absence from the coalition’s high-profile meetings has sparked questions about his political future, but Otti insists his priority remains governing Abia effectively.
He emphasized that he has not been invited to any coalition meeting and has instead chosen to stay committed to the responsibilities entrusted to him by Abia citizens.
“We are just busy doing the work that Abia people have given us,” he stated.
“I am happy where I am. Yes, we had issues. If you don’t have issues, you are dead. So, you wake up and there is one problem or the other—you solve the problem. You don’t run away from a problem and pretend to have solved it.”
In addition to quelling rumours of defection, Governor Otti addressed speculations around the financial health of the state. He categorically denied that his administration has been borrowing to fund government operations, revealing that Abia has not taken any new loans since he assumed office in May 2023.
His clarification comes amid growing public scrutiny over state debts and fiscal transparency.
As Nigeria’s political scene heats up ahead of the 2027 elections, Otti’s declaration sets him apart from shifting alliances and signals his intention to strengthen his base within the Labour Party while focusing on governance in Abia State.
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