Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2027 general elections, declaring confidence that the party will defeat the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu. The governor’s position was made public amid rising political exchanges following claims by Senator Kalu that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would reclaim Abia State in 2027.
Governor Otti’s response, conveyed through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, dismissed suggestions of political overtures to Senator Kalu and underscored the Labour Party’s readiness for the next electoral contest. The statement framed the governor’s stance as firm, measured, and rooted in recent electoral outcomes within the state.
Political Tensions Ahead of 2027 Elections
The statement from the Abia State Government was issued in reaction to comments attributed to Senator Kalu, in which he reportedly asserted that the APC would take over Abia State in 2027 and that he would actively work for the party’s candidates. Governor Otti, however, denied any claims that he had approached the senator for political support or attempted to influence him to act against his party’s interests.
According to the statement, the governor views repeated public declarations by Senator Kalu about not supporting him as unnecessary and unproductive. It described such remarks as routine and lacking substance, noting that genuine political support is demonstrated through consistent party work rather than public pronouncements.
The government further emphasized that Governor Otti remains undeterred by political rhetoric, maintaining that his administration is focused on governance and strengthening the Labour Party’s position ahead of the next general elections.
Electoral Records and Party Performance
Addressing the APC’s performance in Abia State, the statement challenged Senator Kalu to make public the results from his polling unit and ward in the last governorship and presidential elections. It cited figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which indicated that the APC recorded significant losses across polling units and wards during the 2023 elections, including in Bende Local Government Area, the senator’s home area.
The statement questioned how the APC presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, could have lost in the same constituency where Senator Kalu won his election on the same day, suggesting a discrepancy between claims of party influence and actual voting outcomes.
These observations were presented as evidence of the Labour Party’s growing strength in Abia State and as a counter to assertions that the APC is positioned to reclaim the state in 2027.
Labour Party Strategy and Abia North Contest
Looking ahead, Governor Otti reaffirmed his intention to fully support the Labour Party’s candidate for the Abia North Senatorial seat in 2027. The statement disclosed that four aspirants have already declared interest in contesting the seat on the platform of the Labour Party.
It noted that whoever emerges from the party’s primaries would receive the governor’s backing to secure victory at the polls. The administration expressed confidence that unity within the party, combined with grassroots mobilization, would translate into electoral success.
Governor Otti also cautioned against interpreting political statements as threats, asserting that such rhetoric only strengthens his resolve. The statement concluded that the Labour Party remains focused on consolidating its gains and presenting credible candidates to the electorate.
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