Emmanuel Otti, the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State, has dismissed allegations suggesting that Governor Alex Otti undermined the party during the recent local government elections.
The ruling party faced defeat against candidates from the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the polls held in the state.
In a conversation with Punch, Otti addressed questions regarding Governor Otti’s statement encouraging his supporters to vote for candidates they believed would provide effective governance. He clarified, “First and foremost, I want to address a misconception.
Dr. Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State, did not and cannot instruct his supporters to contest under a different party, as he is a member of the Labour Party and serves as its leader both in Abia and nationally.”
He further explained that the Governor’s advice for voters to choose any candidate they trust to deliver quality governance is consistent with their constitutional rights. “Governor Otti cast his vote for a candidate he believes in, and so did I as the state LP chairman,” he stated.
Otti likened the situation to a family dynamic, saying, “Imagine having five daughters; you wouldn’t select their husbands for them but rather allow them the freedom to choose for themselves. It’s their constitutional right to do so.”
He emphasized that if the Governor encouraged citizens to vote for candidates committed to development and the welfare of the community, he was merely exercising his rights and responsibilities.
“The grassroots voters are familiar with the candidates, regardless of their political backgrounds, and it is ultimately their right to make their own choices rather than the Governor imposing a decision on them,” he concluded.
