Abia State Governor Alex Otti has firmly denied claims that he is planning to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the reports as “false, baseless, and unfounded.”
In a statement released Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor dismissed suggestions that he held a political meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to discuss joining the APC.
“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 clarified that Governor Otti’s only recent interaction with Governor Uzodinma occurred at a private birthday celebration for Uzodinma’s twin daughters following the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on April 24 — a purely social occasion with no political undertones.
Focus remains on governance, not politics
Ekeoma emphasized that while Otti’s performance and rising profile have made him a subject of political speculation, any decision with long-term implications would be taken in full consultation with the people of Abia and key political allies.
“Governor Otti’s political decisions, especially those that would have a huge impact and far-reaching consequences on Abians, would always be made with the majority of Abians and his allies in mind,” the statement said.
The governor, he added, is focused squarely on governance, not premature political manoeuvring.
“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,” Ekeoma noted.
Reaffirming Otti’s current political alignment, the statement 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.”
Rising tensions ahead of 2027
Governor Otti is currently the Labour Party’s only governor, a key figure in a party whose national prominence surged during the 2023 general elections, largely driven by presidential candidate Peter Obi. However, internal leadership crises and increasing political realignments are testing the party’s stability as the 2027 elections approach.
His rebuttal follows a wave of defections that included Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who—along with several political allies—joined the APC on Wednesday.
Reactions to the political shake-up
The realignment has sparked reactions from opposition figures.
Former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George brushed off the defections as part of a recurring political cycle, expressing optimism that the PDP would regroup after its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Similarly, former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu characterized the defectors’ moves as a “game of survival driven by fear,” warning that the trend could erode democratic norms and pave the way for a “democratic dictatorship.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, meanwhile, hinted that more defections are imminent.
“Oborevwori’s defection won’t be the last—more governors are expected to join the APC,” he said
