Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has dismissed speculation that he plans to defect from the Labour Party (LP), assuring residents and supporters that he remains committed to the party despite the recent defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Governor Otti gave the assurance during the December edition of his monthly media chat with journalists at the State Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia.
He disclosed that Obi personally informed him of his decision before leaving the Labour Party but stressed that the move would not affect his own political alignment.
“I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi. I did not join the party with him,” Otti said. “He communicated his decision to leave the Labour Party to me, and I gave him my blessings, but I remain in the Labour Party.”
The governor said his decision to stay was informed by his resolve to rebuild and reposition the Labour Party, noting that leaving the party would only be considered if all efforts at reform fail.
“That is the party that brought me to power. I will continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party. If we fight to the end and we cannot retrieve it, then we can begin to discuss other options. But for now, I am not defecting,” he said.
Otti reaffirmed his loyalty to the party and assured supporters that his primary focus remains governance and the delivery of the political ideals that brought his administration to power in Abia State.
Responding to calls by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urging him to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otti declined to engage in political exchanges, saying he would not be distracted from his responsibilities.
Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the governor said, “You will never get to your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
On speculation about a second-term ambition, Otti said he was not making any predictions about the future, stressing that leadership decisions should be guided by divine will.
“If God gives us life, it is His will that will be done, not man’s will,” he said.
The governor also used the briefing to outline recent achievements and upcoming initiatives of his administration, including plans to expand public transportation through the deployment of additional electric buses, the commissioning of the Umuahia bus terminal in early January, and the commencement of construction work on the Aba bus terminal.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to job creation, healthcare development, and the revival of moribund state-owned assets to reduce unemployment and curb medical tourism.
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