Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed reports suggesting he plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Labour Party (LP), calling the claims “false, baseless, and unfounded”.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor clarified that he had neither held any meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State nor discussed any plans to join the APC.
“The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma over an alleged planned defection to the APC is completely devoid of substance and should be disregarded,” Ekeoma stated.
He explained that following the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, 24th April, Governor Otti, along with a few colleagues, had attended the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma’s twin daughters — a purely social event with no political significance.
“It is natural that Governor Otti’s impressive performance, popularity, and rising profile as Governor of Abia State attract admiration and speculation from interested quarters.
“However, Governor Otti’s political decisions, particularly those with major implications for Abians, would always be taken in consultation with the majority of Abians and his political allies,” the statement read.
Ekeoma stressed that any major political move by Governor Otti must be well justified and evidently in the best interests of the Abia people.
He further noted that although political activities towards 2027 seem to be gathering pace, Governor Otti believes it would be unfair to the electorate for governance to be overshadowed by premature political manoeuvring.
“Governor Otti firmly holds the view that, less than two years into his administration, governance — not politics — should remain the main focus in Abia State,” Ekeoma affirmed.
Reaffirming the governor’s political position, he added, “We wish to emphasise that Governor Otti remains a committed member of the Labour Party and is neither planning nor discussing any defection to the APC or any other party, as falsely alleged.”