Abia Governor Authorizes Supporters to Join Other Parties for Local Election
Abia Governor, Alex Otti, recently revealed that he allowed his supporters to join whichever party they preferred for the state’s local government election, while he remains loyal to the Labour Party.
Otti shared this information during a media chat in Umuahia, where he cleared the air on various speculation surrounding his political involvement. The Labour Party, being the official party of the state government, opted not to field any candidates for the election.
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) ultimately won 15 local government areas, and the Young Peoples Party clinched victories in two councils. This development sparked whispers of Otti’s alleged plan to defect to the ZLP. However, Otti vehemently denies any such intentions.
“I’m firmly rooted in the Labour Party,” Otti declared, “and if my stance were to change, I would ensure that all concerned parties are informed.”
He attributed the mass movement of his supporters to other political parties to the inner party crisis within the LP, stating that his fans simply sought a more efficient political platform. Otti has a history of forming new alliances, having won a previous election as the Action People’s Party candidate, and then leaving APGA to join LP, leading to significant electoral success in 2015.
“This phenomenon is not limited to my own political history. Sometimes, political parties can become empty vessels that benefit their competitors. What occurred in this election underscores the importance of party credibility,” Otti explained, while reiterating that his supporters were free to choose their preferred party without impacting his own commitment to LP.
