Gov.Otti debunks news of meeting with Imo counterpart
… I only attended Gov. Uzodinma’s twin daughters birthday, not political meeting
Boniface Okoro
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has strongly debunked media reports that he held any meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State in connection with his (Otti’s) alleged plan to defect to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr. Otti said that governance remains his preoccupation for now, not 2027 politics; and that he was not hatching any plot to dump Labour Party.
The Governor who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said if and when he decides to switch parties, such decision would be taken in consultation with majority of Abians.
Ekeoma in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, advised the public to take the media reports purporting that Otti held a meeting with Governor Uzodinma in view of his plans to defect to APC with a pinch of salt.
Explaining what transpired, Ekeoma said:
“The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State over his alleged planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is false, baseless and unfounded. It’s completely devoid of substance and thus should be disregarded.”
Continuing, he said, “After the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, April 24, Governor Otti and a few of his colleagues joined Governor Uzodinma to attend the birthday celebration of his twin daughters, an event that had nothing to do with politics.”
He attributed Otti’s rumoured defection to his sterling performance and showering political profile.
“It’s natural for Governor Otti’s impressive performance, popularity and towering credentials as the Governor of Abia State to attract admiration and permutations from interested parties; however, Governor Otti’s political decisions, especially those that would have huge impact and far-reaching consequences on Abians, would at all times be taken in conjunction with majority of Abians and his allies. Such decisions must be justified and be seen to be in the overriding interest of Abia people,” the statement read in part.
The aide further hinted that Governor Otti strongly holds the view that though political activities seem to have once again started gathering momentum, but that “it would be unfair to the Abia electorate if politics of 2027, instead of governance, is allowed to dominate discussions less than two years into the administration.”
He reiterated that GoVernor Otti is of the Labour Party and harbours no plan to jump ship.
“Finally, we wish to emphatically state that Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is presently not planning or discussing with anyone to defect to the APC or any other party for that matter as falsely alleged.”
