Abia State Governor Alex Otti has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, saying he will not follow Peter Obi in leaving the party for another platform. Speaking at his monthly media chat in Umuahia, Otti said he would remain in the Labour Party and work to strengthen it ahead of the next general elections.
Otti reaffirms loyalty to Labour Party
The governor said Obi informed him of his decision to join the African Democratic Congress on Wednesday and that he had given Obi his blessing. Despite the high-profile defection, Otti told reporters he would not abandon the party that helped secure his victory in Abia.
“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him,” Otti said. “He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. I gave him my blessings. But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party. That is the party that brought me to power. If we fight and get to the end, and we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. Therefore, for now, I am not defecting to any party.”
Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, announced his move to the ADC in Enugu, framing the decision as part of a plan to “rescue the nation” and prepare for a renewed campaign in 2026. His departure has prompted discussion about the future direction of the opposition and the stability of the Labour Party at both state and national levels.
Governor Otti’s stance may help preserve a degree of continuity for the Labour Party in Abia State. By choosing to stay and focus on rebuilding the party’s structures and grassroots networks, he seeks to maintain the voter base that propelled him to office. Political analysts say such decisions by prominent officeholders can either stabilise or further fragment opposition movements, depending on follow-through and local dynamics.
Otti also addressed public appeals for him to join the All Progressives Congress, made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. He declined to be drawn into party switching and said he preferred to concentrate on governance and service delivery.
“Ordinarily, I would not respond to matters like that,” he said, thanking Kalu for a recent financial distribution to vulnerable citizens while remaining clear that he would not be provoked or retaliate. He quoted Winston Churchill to underline his approach: “You will never get to your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.”
As Nigeria’s political landscape evolves ahead of the 2026 cycle, Otti’s public loyalty to the Labour Party highlights a wider question for opposition figures: whether to consolidate around existing party brands or to form new coalitions. For now, Otti’s decision puts him in the camp of leaders choosing internal reform over immediate realignment.
Observers will be watching whether Otti’s pledge translates into concrete party-building measures in Abia and beyond, and whether other prominent Labour figures follow his lead or gravitate toward the ADC or other platforms. The coming months will test the resilience of the Labour Party’s organisation and its appeal to voters who supported its surge in 2023.
Key Takeaways:
- Otti reaffirms loyalty to Labour Party and vows to help rebuild the party that brought him to power.
- Peter Obi has left Labour for the ADC, signalling shifts in opposition alignments ahead of 2026.
- Otti rejects calls to join the APC, stressing a focus on governance and avoiding distraction.
