Abia Governor Alex Otti Says He Will Remain In Labour Party Despite Peter Obi’s Departure

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has confirmed that he will remain in the Labour Party, even as presidential candidate Peter Obi prepares to leave the party.

Otti made the announcement on Tuesday during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, the state capital. He said that while he gave Obi his blessings to exit, he is committed to helping rebuild the party that brought him to power.

“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him,” Otti explained. “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 will continue the struggle to rescue it. If we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. For now, I am not defecting to any party.”

Otti also responded to calls from Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urging him to join the All Progressives Congress, saying he would not be distracted.

“Ordinarily, I would not respond to matters like that. However, those of you who listened to my Christmas message will recall that I called on our people to support the less privileged, particularly persons with disabilities. Seeing that he heeded the call and assisted vulnerable people, I thank him for that,” he said.

He added that he has chosen not to be provoked by such calls, citing Winston Churchill: “‘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.”