2027: “I Won’t Defect With Obi,” Says Otti

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, has dismissed speculations that he will defect from the Labour Party with the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Party, Peter Obi, insisting that his loyalty remains firmly in the Party, a vehicle that brought him to power in 2023 and has no plans to defect.

Speaking during a media chat with journalists on Tuesday, tagged ‘Governor Otti Speaks to Abians’, clarified that his membership of the Labour Party predates that of Obi and was not influenced by him.

“I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi. I didn’t join because of Obi,” Otti said.

“He informed me about his intention to defect, and I gave him my blessings. However, I will remain in the Labour Party to fight for the party that brought me into power. I’m not defecting with Obi.”

Otti added that while he is determined to work for the growth and stability of the party, future options may only be considered if efforts to reposition the party fail.

“If after fighting and there’s no positive result, then we will talk about options,” he noted.

Referencing his Christmas message to Abians on the 25th of December 2025 in which he called on leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to remember the less privileged during the festive season.

He expressed satisfaction that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, responded positively to the appeal with the palliatives shared to Abians on Sunday.

Speaking on the call made by the Deputy Speaker for him to join the All Progressive Congress, APC, Otti said he has chosen not to engage. “I have taken a principled decision not to dignify a response to his statements yesterday,” he said.

He emphasised that only God can say if he will run for a second tenure in 2027 and called for greater support for his administration.