Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has strongly denied reports suggesting he plans to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling the claims “false, baseless, and unfounded.”

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti clarified that he had not met with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State nor discussed any such political move. He described a recent meeting with Uzodinma, which was reported to have political implications, as a purely social event—celebrating the birthday of the Imo State Governor’s twin daughters.

Ekeoma emphasized that Governor Otti’s popularity and governance successes in Abia have led to political speculation, but assured that any significant political decisions would involve consultations with the people of Abia and his political allies. He reiterated that Otti remains committed to his mandate and will prioritize governance over political maneuvering, especially with the 2027 elections still years away.

Governor Otti, the only Labour Party governor in Nigeria, has become a prominent figure in the party following the 2023 elections, despite challenges within the LP. This denial comes amid a wave of defections from the PDP to the APC, with other political leaders, such as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, also switching parties.