Abia Governor Alex Otti dismissed the report, which indicated that he was planning to defect from all the Progressive Assembly (APC) of the Labor Party (LP), calling the claims “false, unfounded, unfounded.”
In a statement released on Saturday, April 26 by Ferdinand Ekeoma, special counsel for media and publicity, the governor clarified that he had neither had any meetings with the IMO state governor wishing Uzodinma to be held nor had he discussed plans to join the APC. “The report of his Excellency, His Excellency, Alex Otti Ofr, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma, and his alleged defection to APC is not substantial at all and should therefore be ignored,” Ekeoma said.
He explained that after the National Economic Commission meeting held on Thursday, April 24, Governor Oti joined some of his colleagues in the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma’s twin daughters, a purely social event that had nothing to do with politics. “For the impressive performance of the governor of Abian state, popularity and towering certificates are natural, attracting admiration and replacement from those interested. But the political decisions of Governor Otti, especially those that have a huge impact and far-reaching consequences on the Abians, will always be combined with the majority of Abians and his remarks and read.
Ekeoma stressed that any major political move by Governor Otti must be justified and clearly out of the overwhelming interests of the Abia people. He further pointed out that while political activity in 2027 appears to be increasing momentum, Governor Oti believes that it would be unfair to voters if governance is to be covered up against premature political calculations. “Governor Otti strongly believes that in his administration, less than two years, this is governance rather than politics, should be discussed in Abia,” Ekeoma said.
He reiterated the governor’s political stance, adding: “We want to emphasize that Governor Oti remains a member of the Labor Party and that there is no plan or discussion for anyone to falsely allegedly known as APC or any other party.”
Governor Oti is currently the only governor of Labour in Nigeria, driven primarily by its presidential candidate Peter Obi after the party surged in the 2023 general election. The party also faces an internal leadership crisis to test its unity ahead of the 2027 general election.
After the rebellion of Delta Governor Oporevwori, Otti’s rebuttal was carried out in a political reorganization. His agents, Onyeme, Monday; former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; and on Wednesday, April 23, members and political stakeholders of all Progressive Conferences (APCs).
On Friday, April 25, former National Democratic Deputy Vice-Chairman (PDP) responded to the development, and Chief Bode George regarded defection as a familiar political event with little long-term impact. PDP board members said that after the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the PDP will “rebound.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, former PDP president aspirant Dele Momodu described the defector as a “fear-driven survival game” and warned that this could lead to a “democratic dictatorship.”
According to Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule, Oborevwori’s defection to APC is not the last, as “more governors are expected to join the party”.
