Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has refuted reports claiming that he is planning to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling the allegations “false, baseless, and unfounded.”
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti clarified that he had not met with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to discuss any potential defection to the APC. The statement addressed rumors stemming from a supposed meeting between the two governors, asserting that no such political discussions took place.
According to Ekeoma, Governor Otti, alongside several of his colleagues, attended a social event – the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma’s twin daughters – following the National Economic Council meeting on April 24. The event, he clarified, was unrelated to politics.
The statement emphasized that while Governor Otti’s impressive performance and growing popularity in Abia State may draw interest from political parties, his political decisions would always prioritize the interests of the Abia people and be made in consultation with the majority of Abians and his allies.
Governor Otti reiterated that any significant political move, especially one involving a party switch, would need to be in the best interest of Abians. He also noted that despite increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, it was important to focus on governance rather than premature political calculations.
In closing, Ekeoma reaffirmed that Governor Otti remains a committed member of the Labour Party and is not in talks with the APC or any other party regarding a defection.
