Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced that he has given his supporters the freedom to join any political party they choose for the upcoming local government elections, while affirming his own commitment to remain a member of the Labour Party (LP).
During his monthly media chat with journalists in Umuahia this November, Otti addressed the recent electoral landscape, noting that the LP, which serves as the official party of the state government, did not present any candidates for the local government elections.
In this election cycle, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) emerged victorious in 15 local government areas, while the Young Peoples Party secured wins in two councils. This has sparked speculation about the governor’s potential shift to the ZLP.
However, Otti clarified, “I remain with the Labour Party. If there comes a time when I need to leave, you will be duly informed.”
He elaborated, “I assure you of my loyalty to the LP. The internal issues within the party have led many of our supporters to explore other options. Our constituents understand who can deliver results. As the saying goes, you know which child to send for food without fear of embarrassment, even if he is hungry, he will refuse to eat.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Otti recounted, “This dynamic has been evident since I decided to run for election in 2015. When I transitioned from the PDP to APGA, my supporters followed, and we achieved success in that election. Prior to that, APGA had not won a single council seat, yet we managed to capture nearly half of the House of Assembly seats.”
He emphasized, “Often, people recognize that political parties are mere platforms. When there is chaos within these parties, it inadvertently creates opportunities for competitors, which is what occurred in this recent election.”
Otti reiterated his position, stating, “I have encouraged my supporters to join whichever political parties they prefer, and many have chosen to align with different groups. Nonetheless, I remain firmly with the Labour Party.”
