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.

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 like Hon. Ginger  Onwusibe and State House of Assembly members 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.

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.

A former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, former Chief of Staff and the PDP house of representatives candidate for Isialangwa North/South Federal Constituency, Professor A.C.B. Agbazuere has joined the new Abia team and offered to work for the 2027 re-election campaign of Governor Alex Otti to make his landslide victory seamless.

Professor Agbazuere was speaking when he paid a solidarity visit to Governor Alex Otti in his office alongside members of his Owie Structure.

The Professor of Laws in his own words said, “Your Excellency, our visit is very simple. I also know that given the kind of wisdom that you possess, you know that a day like this would come.

“So, Your Excellency, our mission is that I felt, and I still feel, that I am not going to allow you to do this campaign alone.

“After all, if somebody even looks at those who are aspiring to become Governor, they can’t match you.

“If I am with you, it’s 100%. If I’m not with you, it’s also 100%. I cannot continue to be in another party and be saying that you are doing very well, I have to be with you. That’s the way I operate. I’m that kind of person.

“The important thing is that now, it will be a teamwork. And, it appears to me, very clearly, that the hand of God is on you and the journey this time will be simpler,” Prof. Agbazuere stated.

The former Information boss, who described the Governor as a good striker, said  that he decided to visit alongside a few members of his Owie Structure  and revealed that they have over 8,000 members of the structure.

“So for me, I said, if you have a very good striker, and you want your team to win, there should be no need to change that striker.

“I could have come to see you alone, but I said no. And I thank the Chief of Staff. He is greatly representing. So, I said, okay, let me call these people (Owie Structure).

“I could have come alone. I called them (Owie Structure ) to follow me. We have over 8,000 people. During my elections, I had over 13,580 votes. Apart from what happens in Nigerian politics.

“So, apart from my own feelings and impressions, people have also been on me. Saying that, this man is doing so well. And I also reviewed what they were saying, alongside my own impressions.

“At a point I decided that this should not be a situation where a person would be operating from afar,” Prof. Agbazuere stated.

Professor Agbazuere said that Governor Otti has performed exceptionally well in various sectors of the economy, saying that he cannot begin to reel out all that the Governor has done so far.

“It’s only someone who wants to do politics that would not appreciate good governance.

“At my level, I say what I see. When I say it, it is the way I say it. If someone who does not want to play politics comes into Umuahia for example, from FMC come down, you even see the pedestrian divide that you (Gov. Otti) created to make sure that vehicles will not kill those who don’t have cars, who are walking on the road.

“And of course, you have widened that road. When you move down, get to Okpara Square. You promised that you were going to make that road (Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard) six lanes.
And in less than two years of your administration, you did it.

“After doing it from Okpara Square to the Tower, you didn’t stop. You went beyond there. You got to the Imo River (Onu Imo). And if one sees that pace, that speed, and looks at the Port Harcourt Road within a very short time.

“Look at the former SSG’s office. That area has been transformed into something else. Then the Michael Okpara Auditorium .

“I said, this man who has done this much, and has not also failed me in governance.

“I want to pause and congratulate you on your achievements so far. I don’t want to start bothering myself to start reeling all of them out. If we are not convinced, we will not come,” Prof. Agbazuere declared.

Responding, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, while welcoming Professor Agbazuere, appreciated his acknowledgement of the modest achievements of the administration so far, and assured that more projects are in the offing for the people of the State.

According to the Governor, “We are happy that the impact has been felt, because that’s what governance is about. If you are not impactful, then it means you are not doing anything.

“You can pretend to be working hard, but the result is what is most important.

“So, I want to thank you and reassure you that we will continue, we will not remove our feet from the throttle, if anything, we will begin to run faster.

“And the simple reason is that, when we started, there were so many impediments, which we had to wade through to get to where we are, and we can as well say that we have stabilised,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti thanked Professor Agbazuere for his decision to join him in the electioneering campaigns and directed the Chief of Staff to the Governor to arrange for his proper registration into the Labour while assuring him that he would be treated equally in the Party.

“I want to thank you (Agbazuere & his Owie Structure) for the offer to be part of the campaign and to be members of our party.

“I want to welcome you. And I know that the Chief of Staff will arrange for proper registration.

“Primaries are going to come in one week or so. And it would be nice if your registration can happen and you will be part of the primaries. Even though what we have done was to sit down and have some consensus so that we run away from rancorous and combustible primaries that we see in some of the parties today.

So, we are very happy to receive you and you can be sure that our party being what it is, we don’t have any discrimination between new members and old members.

“And that is one virtue that we have.  So, the day you join, you will enjoy equal rights with everybody.
It’s a workers’ party.

That’s why we insisted on remaining in the party, which has paid off today because some of the people that decamped and recamped and discamped, some of them are struggling today,” Gov. Otti stated.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, and Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu were present during the visit.

The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has described the gathering at the country home of Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu in Bende Town as an “assembly of eagles,” commending the growing momentum of the Labour Party in Abia North.

Engr. Emetu stated that his visit was to engage with Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, a political associate and aspirant for the Labour Party ticket to represent Abia North Senatorial District. He expressed appreciation for the warm reception and acknowledged the presence of prominent stakeholders from across the zone.

“The purpose of my visit is to engage directly with my brother and dear friend, Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, who is seeking to represent Abia North Senatorial Zone under the Labour Party,” Emetu said. “I am elated to witness this gathering of eagles and to see firsthand the level of support behind his aspiration.”

He noted that Governor Alex Chioma Otti has set a precedent for the kind of leadership the Labour Party represents, emphasizing that leadership is a collective responsibility that can only succeed with credible leaders in positions of authority.

The Deputy Governor also stressed the need for citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and actively participate in electing competent leaders.
The Director General of the Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu Campaign Organisation, Ukwu Rocks, described the aspirant as “a man after the hearts of the people,” noting that his acceptance cuts across all local government areas in Abia North.

According to him, the turnout of supporters and stakeholders reflected the trust and goodwill Dr. Kalu enjoys among the people.
Rocks further stated that the zone had endured years of poor representation and that constituents were determined to support Dr. Kalu in order to secure quality representation at the Senate.

Goodwill messages were delivered by Hon. Obinna Ekekwe, Mr. Elekwa Ezuta, Hon. Mike Eze, and Mr. Chuzzy Igboko. The speakers commended Governor Alex Otti for what they described as transformational leadership in road infrastructure and peacebuilding across the state. They urged the Labour Party to grant Dr. Kalu the senatorial ticket, arguing that the party’s achievements under Governor Otti should be complemented by strong representation in the National Assembly.

In his remarks, Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, Founder of the ECK Foundation and senatorial aspirant, described the Labour Party as a “moving train” driven by Governor Otti’s achievements. He pledged to mobilize support for the governor’s re-election, noting that the administration had changed the narrative of governance in Abia State.

The visit was attended by the Mayor of Bende LGA, Deacon Bassey Uwabunkonye, party faithful, and stakeholders from Bende and neighbouring communities. Discussions centred on unity, collaboration, and the future of the Labour Party in Abia North.

Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor
13/05/2025