Otti Rules Out Defection, Says He’ll Remain in Labour Party

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ruled out any plan to defect from the Labour Party despite the planned exit of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Umuahia on Tuesday, Otti confirmed that Obi had informed him of his decision to leave the party, adding that he (Otti) had given him his blessings. However, the governor insisted that he would remain in the Labour Party to help reposition and strengthen it.

“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I didn’t come in with him,” Otti said. “He has informed me that he is leaving the Labour Party, and I wished him well. But I will stay back to continue the struggle to rebuild the party. That is the platform that brought me to power. For now, I am not defecting to any party.”

Reacting to calls by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urging him to join the All Progressives Congress, Otti said he would not be distracted by such appeals. He commended Kalu for assisting the less privileged during the festive season but maintained that he would stay focused on governance.

Quoting former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Otti added, “You will never get to your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks. We will remain focused on our job.”

Otti reaffirmed his commitment to his mandate and promised to work towards strengthening the Labour Party ahead of future political engagements.