Labour Party speaks on Abia State Governor Otti’s Alleged Plan To Join APC
The other governors reportedly linked to the defection rumours are Peter Mba of Enugu state, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, and Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
The Labour Party (LP), has dismissed rumours making the rounds that Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is planning to defect from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, refuted the claims, describing the rumour as baseless.
There had been rumours making the rounds that at least five first-term opposition governors, including Otti, were considering defecting from their political parties to the ruling APC in preparation for the 2027 polls.
The other governors reportedly linked to the defection rumours are Peter Mba of Enugu state, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, and Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
But Ifoh firmly debunked the notion that Otti was planning to leave the Labour Party for the APC.
“It is just a rumour, and we hope it remains so. We are in constant contact with Gov. Alex Otti, and he has assured us that he is not going anywhere ahead of 2027.
“We believe he will stay with us, despite the challenges we are working hard to resolve,” Ifoh stated.
Although he acknowledged that defections between political parties are common in democratic settings, Ifoh emphasised that Otti had no intention of joining the APC.
He also referenced legal precedents, noting that courts have previously weighed in on defection cases under Section 84 of the 1999 Constitution.
“If five governors are indeed considering defecting, it wouldn’t be a new occurrence, as such movements have happened in the past,” Ifoh said.
He said that the defection rumours were likely linked to opposition governors facing difficulties in managing their states.
He also reaffirmed that the Labour Party was united and confident in Otti’s continued leadership.
According to Ifoh, “Our governor is with us, and we are optimistic that by 2027, we will have even more governors in our fold.”
