Local government officials in Abia State have dismissed recent social media allegations suggesting that they plan to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the end of their current terms.
These rumors indicated that the mayors, appointed by Governor Alex Otti last year, were considering abandoning the Labour Party due to their exclusion from the upcoming Local Government elections set for November 2.
In a joint statement issued by Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, alongside Chief Eric Achi Egwuibe, Mayor of Obingwa, and 15 other mayors, the group categorically rejected the claims as baseless.
They emphasized that reports of a meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the supposed decision to switch allegiance to the APC was made, are entirely fictional and stem from the imagination of “news peddlers.”
The statement clarified, “To reiterate, there has never been a time when Chioma ndi Abia, Governor Otti, dismissed any mayors. The authors of this publication display a profound misunderstanding of the laws governing our land, as Governor Otti is a steadfast proponent of democratic and legal standards.”
The mayors were invited by His Excellency to help revitalize the state and to establish a robust framework for efficient local governance, the statement continued. “No agreement has ever been made to transition them into elected chairmen; it is therefore misleading to suggest otherwise.”
The mayors expressed their commitment, stating, “We are dedicated to collaborating with Governor Otti to steer Abia towards becoming a model state while ensuring a smooth transition for the incoming chairmen. We will not let ourselves be sidetracked by unfounded rumors circulating on social media.”
They also acknowledged the existence of opportunistic politicians seeking to exploit the situation. “Fortunately, the current mayors are not transactional politicians; our focus remains on serving the people of Abia State.”
Concluding their statement, the mayors expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for the opportunity to serve and vowed their steadfast support for the ongoing Abia project.
