Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has formally launched the Labour Party’s campaign for the 2027 governorship election, announcing his decision to retain Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu as his running mate.
Otti made the announcement on Sunday at the party’s campaign flag-off in Umuahia, where he also directed that opposition parties must be allowed access to public facilities for their political activities, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
The governor said his administration, if given another mandate, would use the next four years to deepen development through policies and investment decisions aimed at positioning Abia State to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities.
Reflecting on his political journey and the circumstances that led to his emergence as governor, Otti said his administration had remained committed to addressing years of governance challenges and restoring public confidence in the state.
“At inception twelve years ago, we came to you with a message of hope, a commitment to lead the democratic crusade for the souls of our dear state. We never deterred in our commitment because, like us, you have also borne the shame and frustration of governance failure, institutional collapse, and the misery of living like a conquered population,” he said.
He added that Abia needed a political system that prioritised the welfare and development of its people over political patronage.
“Abia is ripe for a new political system, one that prioritises the development and welfare of the people over the vainglory of sycophants and unnamed acolytes.
“After the man-made disappointments of 2015 and 2019, this siege was broken in 2023, and in a little over three years, thick clouds of despair have parted, a long nightmare has ended, and the light of renewal, restoration and prosperity has risen over our dear state,” Otti said.
Reviewing his administration’s performance across different sectors of the state’s economy, the governor said a fresh mandate in the February 6, 2027 governorship election would enable his government to consolidate its achievements and pursue further development.
“With a fresh mandate in the February 6, 2027, governorship elections, we shall raise the bar even higher and set Abia on the path of irreversible progress through bold leadership, investments in factor assets, and multilevel partnership for prosperity,” he said.
Otti promises opposition access to public facilities
Addressing concerns surrounding political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, Otti said his administration would not tolerate restrictions on opposition parties seeking to use public facilities for legitimate political activities.
He maintained that democracy depended on the availability of different political choices and said all parties should have the opportunity to present their programmes to voters.
“The beauty of democracy is the plurality of options it offers all of us, which is why this administration made it clear that the rascality of years to years will have no place in Abia State anymore.
“I have since given a public directive, and I am repeating it here, that opposition parties should not be restricted from using public facilities, including the stadium, once they apply, obtain the necessary approvals and meet the required frameworks,” he said.
The governor also warned against attempts to disrupt the activities of political parties, directing security agencies to arrest anyone who obstructed other groups from conducting lawful campaigns.
Addressing security personnel, Otti said they had no authority to attack political supporters or prevent opposition parties from campaigning.
“You do not have my mandate to attack people or to stop people from campaigning.
“You have no such mandate from me. Even then, my advice to all of us is to restrict ourselves to the issues that are relevant to our people, sell your manifesto and leave out unnecessary personal attacks,” he said.
He added that political campaigns in Abia should focus on broader development issues, noting that the state had moved beyond basic expectations such as the payment of salaries and pensions, road construction and urban sanitation.
Otti retains Emetu as running mate
The governor also formally announced his decision to retain Emetu as his deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election, inviting supporters to back their joint bid for another four-year term.
“It is an invitation made in humility, calling on you to join Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu and me as we seek a fresh mandate for another term of four years to consolidate on the multisectoral gains this administration has recorded in the last 41 months under our stewardship,” he said.
Explaining the decision to run together again under the Labour Party platform, Otti said their candidacy was driven by the need to move the state’s governance agenda from rescue to consolidation.
“My dear brother and I have presented ourselves as deputy governorship and governorship candidates, respectively, under the umbrella of the Labour Party for three connected reasons. The first, as I have earlier mentioned, is to move the architecture of governance from rescue to consolidation,” he added.
Labour Party leaders express confidence ahead of 2027
In his remarks, the Labour Party chairman in Abia State, Peter Azubuike, expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the forthcoming elections, saying it was determined to win across the state.
“LP is out to win and will clear all elections in Abia. It is LP all the way, as no opposition party is existing in the state,” Azubuike said.
Earlier, during the church service preceding the campaign flag-off, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Chibuzo Opoko, and Emma Okorie of the Living Word Ministry offered prayers for the success of the forthcoming governorship election.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, Nuhu Mohammed, described the gathering as more than a campaign event, saying it was an opportunity to strengthen support for the governor.
He urged Abia residents to support Otti, whom he described as a leader with impeccable integrity.
