2027: Governor Otti Rules out Defection, Vows to Rebuild Labour Party

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has firmly ruled out any plan to defect ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that he will remain in the Labour Party (LP) and work from within to address its internal challenges.

Otti made the position clear on Wednesday during the December edition of his monthly media engagement, Governor Otti Speaks with Abia People, held at the Government House in Umuahia.

The governor stressed that his political foundation is deeply rooted in the Labour Party, noting that his membership predates the 2023 presidential bid of Peter Obi.

“I am not leaving the Labour Party. My duty is to stay and help fix whatever problems exist,” Otti said.

Beyond political issues, the governor disclosed that construction of the proposed Abia Medical City is scheduled to commence in 2026. He explained that the timeline was intentionally structured to protect the state from unfavourable investment arrangements.

He also highlighted ongoing rehabilitation works across health facilities in the state, including the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in Aba, describing them as part of broader efforts to improve access to quality healthcare.

Otti acknowledged that many Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Abia remain underutilised due to prolonged neglect and public mistrust.

“It will take time for people to regain confidence in the PHCs after years of abandonment, but trust will return as the improvements become visible,” he said.

The governor further revealed that he has approved the full settlement of outstanding entitlements owed to disengaged staff of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and Abia State University, assuring that no affected worker should still be unpaid. He urged anyone yet to receive payment to report to the appropriate authorities for verification.

Otti’s comments come amid heightened political realignments within the opposition, as discussions around the 2027 elections continue to intensify nationwide.