Labour Party Denies Gov. Alex Otti’s Alleged Defection Plans to APC

The Labour Party has dismissed speculations that Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr. Obiora Ifoh, described the reports as baseless.

“It is a mere rumour, and I hope it remains so. For us in Labour Party, we are in touch with our governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and he has assured us that he is not going anywhere, ahead of 2027,” Ifoh stated.

This clarification comes amidst widespread speculation that no fewer than five first-term governors from opposition parties, including Otti, were planning to join the APC. Media reports had listed Otti alongside Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), and Umoh Eno (Akwa Ibom) as potential defectors. While the others are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otti is the only Labour Party governor on the list.

Ifoh acknowledged that party-switching is common in Nigeria’s political landscape but reiterated that Otti had no intention of joining the APC.

“The courts have come up several times to make interpretation as regards Section 84 of the 1999 Constitution, and many people who had defected at one time or the other had been challenged in court. So, if five governors are planning to defect, it won’t be a new thing, as it had happened in the past,” he said.

He further attributed the rumours to challenges some opposition governors face in managing their states but maintained that Labour Party remains solidly behind its governor.

“We are good in Labour Party, and our governor is with us. We are hoping that by 2027, we will have more governors in our fold,” Ifoh affirmed.

NAN recalls that recent reports suggested certain opposition governors were warming up to the APC, citing instances of private visits to President Bola Tinubu and his involvement in commissioning projects in their states. Additionally, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was reported to be actively wooing opposition governors.

However, Labour Party insists that Dr. Alex Otti remains committed to the party’s ideals and vision as the only governor under its banner.