ABIA GOVERNMENT DISMISSES RUMOURS OF OTTI’S DEFECTION — REAFFIRMS GOVERNOR’S LOYALTY TO LABOUR PARTY AND HIS VISION FOR A NEW ABIA.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

21- OCT- 2025

The Abia State Government has strongly debunked a circulating false report claiming that the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The government described the story as fabricated, baseless, and politically mischievous, crafted by individuals unsettled by the Governor’s rising popularity and sterling record of performance across the state.

In a press statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the State Government emphasized that Governor Otti remains a proud and dedicated member of the Labour Party, the political platform that produced him as Governor through the overwhelming mandate of the people of Abia State.

According to the statement, the so-called defection story is a cheap attempt by political propagandists to mislead the public, divert attention from the ongoing developmental strides of the present administration, and create unnecessary confusion where none exists.

The release reminded the public that only last week, during the October edition of “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians”—the Governor’s monthly interactive media session—Dr. Otti explicitly reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party and his unwavering focus on governance, service delivery, and the transformation of Abia State.

> “The Governor’s interest is not in political permutations or party defections, but in service to humanity and the holistic rebuilding of Abia,” the statement reiterated. “He believes leadership is about impact, not convenience.”

The Otti administration, the statement continued, is fully committed to implementing its vision anchored on transparency, fiscal discipline, infrastructure renewal, economic diversification, youth empowerment, and the restoration of public trust in government. These principles, it noted, are in perfect alignment with the core ideals of the Labour Party — a people-centered political movement that stands for integrity, fairness, and progress.

Prince Okey Kanu further described the falsehood as a calculated distraction by opponents who have found it difficult to match the Governor’s visible achievements within a short time in office. He urged the citizens of Abia to ignore the rumour and remain focused on the ongoing efforts to deliver sustainable development across the state.

The government assured that Governor Otti’s relationship with the Labour Party remains strong and unwavering, stressing that his administration will continue to operate under the party’s guiding philosophy of equity, social justice, and accountable governance.

> “Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is firmly focused on building a new Abia — a state where truth prevails, opportunities are abundant, and governance truly serves the people,” the statement concluded.