Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has publicly debunked recent claims suggesting that he is preparing to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor clarified that he remains committed to the platform that brought him into office and dismissed the speculation surrounding his political allegiance.
Otti emphasized that any major political decision affecting the people of Abia would only be made with their involvement and proper consultation, stating that there is no truth to the defection reports.
Addressing the growing rumours through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor categorically refuted the claim that he recently held a covert meeting with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State — the Progressive Governors Forum chairman — to finalise a move to the APC.
He insisted that such reports were baseless and should be disregarded. In his words, Otti stressed that he would not take a political step with significant implications for Abia State residents without first engaging them. Vanguard quoted him urging Nigerians to avoid unnecessary political distractions, especially about the 2027 general election, and instead focus on governance and national development.
The governor’s team further explained that Otti was present at the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, April 24. Afterwards, he attended a private event hosted by Governor Uzodimma to celebrate his twin daughters’ birthday, clarifying that his presence at the event had no political motive.
The defection rumours surfaced amid intensified discussions about a possible opposition alliance aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections — a movement being pushed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Adding to the political intrigue, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Wednesday, April 23. His defection, alongside his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa — who was the PDP’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general election — further heightened speculation about other potential defections within opposition ranks.
In a significant political shift, all Delta State commissioners and the PDP’s party structure also moved to the APC with Governor Oborevwori, reinforcing debates about the strength and unity of the opposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Meanwhile, Governor Otti has restated his position, making it clear that he remains a member of the Labour Party. “I remain in LP, have no plans to defect to APC”, he affirmed, calling for focus on governance rather than premature political scheming.
