Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has dismissed speculation that he may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, insisting that his political future remains with the Labour Party (LP).
Governor Otti, currently the only state governor elected on the platform of the Labour Party, made the remarks during his monthly media briefing, a forum he uses to update residents on government policies, projects, and performance.
Addressing rumours that he might follow his political ally, former presidential candidate Peter Obi, into another party, Otti said there was no basis for such claims, despite his cordial relationship with President Bola Tinubu of the APC.
Speaking on his re-election plans, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party and the mandate given to him by the people of Abia State.
“I am in the Labour Party, if there’s an election tomorrow, I will still run on the platform of the Labour Party, although nobody knows tomorrow,” he said.
The Labour Party governs only Abia State, while four states, Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara and Adamawa, are controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The remaining 31 states are currently governed by the APC.
Beyond politics, Governor Otti used the briefing to announce an extension of the state’s free electric bus transport scheme, which was initially scheduled to end this month. He said the service would now continue until the end of February to further ease transportation costs for residents.
“The electric buses providing free transportation will continue running until the end of February to further ease the burden on our citizens,” he stated.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that the Aba water project is nearing completion and will soon be commissioned, with similar progress being made in Umuahia.
“Very soon, the Aba water project will be completed and commissioned. Water will begin to flow to many parts of Aba, and the same will happen in Umuahia.
Our aim is to ensure that water is running in our kitchens just like it used to be in the past,” he said.
Governor Otti also highlighted ongoing investments in healthcare, including the upgrade of primary healthcare centres and hospital facilities across the state. He added that his administration is accelerating the reconstruction and renovation of public schools, describing education as central to Abia’s long-term development.
“We are rebuilding more schools, not just structures but the entire learning environment, because the future of Abia depends on the quality of education we give our children,” he said.
The governor assured residents that his administration remains committed to transparency, infrastructure renewal, and economic revitalisation, and called for continued public support as reforms progress.
