Otti Speaks on Defection Rumours, Says Labour Party Not on Shaky Ground

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed speculations of a possible defection from the Labour Party (LP), affirming his commitment to the party that brought him to power. In an interview with Arise TV’s Rufai Oseni, Otti stated that his political stance remains firm despite growing defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“My party is not on shaky ground. I’m even closer to the center than some persons decamping to the APC,” he said. “Everybody must not be in APC, this is democracy.”

Otti cited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political journey as an example of the importance of loyalty and consistency in politics. “Tinubu held on to his AD, AC, ACN before becoming APC. If he was defecting anyhow, he wouldn’t be President today. Sometimes you have to also stand for something.”

When pressed about whether he might ever leave the Labour Party, Otti responded, “I’m not God. You have already predicted doom for Labour. I was in PDP, from there I moved to APGA then APC. But that is not the issue. The party that brought me to power is Labour Party and today, we have fought and retrieved the Labour.”

He further criticized the ongoing internal crisis within the party, taking a swipe at Labour Party national chairman, Julius Abure. “I’ll send you the CTC of Supreme Court. When you finish reading it, you will know that Julius Abure is just masturbating,” Otti remarked bluntly.

Governor Otti’s comments come amid intensified political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.