Governor Alex Otti has emerged as the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Abia State after securing an overwhelming 368,230 votes in the party’s direct primary election conducted across the state’s 184 political wards.
Declaring the results at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the National Organising Secretary of the Labour Party and Returning Officer for the exercise in Abia State, Mrs Oluchi Opara, announced that Governor Otti, who contested unopposed, swept the polls in a process monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.
Presenting the Governor with his Certificate of Return, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Hon. Acho Obioma, commended party members and electoral officials for conducting what he described as a peaceful, transparent, and violence-free exercise, noting that the primaries reflected the party’s internal democracy and organisational discipline ahead of the 2027 polls.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Otti thanked party leaders, the primaries committee, INEC officials, observers, and party faithful for ensuring a smooth and credible process across the state. He said the emergence of candidates marked the beginning of the next phase of political engagement ahead of the general elections.
“The job has just started. Now that you are candidates, the task of working hard to secure victory for the Labour Party begins,” Otti stated, urging all candidates to intensify grassroots mobilisation and consolidate the party’s growing support base across Abia.
The Governor expressed confidence in the party’s chances in 2027, citing the large turnout recorded during the primaries and stressing the need to reach beyond party lines to win broader public support.
The primaries also produced Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Senator Darlington Nwokocha for Abia Central, and Chief David Ogba Onuoha for Abia North Senatorial Zone. Serving members of the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly also secured return tickets to seek re-election under the party’s platform.
The exercise, largely driven by consensus arrangements in several constituencies, was widely applauded for its orderly conduct and absence of rancour.
Earlier in the day, Governor Otti, accompanied by his wife, Her Excellency Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, participated in the Labour Party primary election at his ward in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area before proceeding to the state collation centre in Umuahia.
In an emotional moment during the event, Governor Otti announced the passing of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, describing him as “a very good man” and revealing that efforts had been made to save his life before news of his death was confirmed. A minute of silence was thereafter observed in his honour.
