GOVERNOR OTTI DENIES HOLDING MEETING TO PLAN DEFECTION TO APC

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has denied holding any meeting with his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodinma, to plan his defection from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress. However, Governor Otti admitted attending the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma's twin daughters after the meeting of the National Economic Council on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Governor Otti said the birthday celebration had nothing to do with politics, and therefore, dismissed the speculation of his plan to defect to the APC as false, baseless and unfounded. In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the defection rumour lacked substance and should be disregarded. Ekeoma maintained that it was natural for Governor Otti's impressive performance, popularity and towering credentials as the Governor of Abia State to attract admiration and permutations from interested parties. However, he said Governor Otti's political decisions, especially those that would have huge impact and far-reaching consequences on Abians, would at all times be taken in conjunction with majority of Abians and his allies, adding that such decisions must be justified and be seen to be in the overriding interest of Abia people. Ferdinand Ekeoma explained that Governor Otti strongly holds the view that though political activities seem to have once again started gathering momentum, it would be unfair to the Abia electorate if the politics of 2027 is allowed to overshadow governance in the state. Ekeoma maintained that Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is presently not planning or discussing with anyone to defect to the APC or any other party for that matter as falsely alleged.