Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared that he will not defect from the Labour Party, despite the decision of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to leave the party.
Governor Otti made this known on Tuesday during his monthly media chat held in Umuahia, where he addressed growing speculations about his political future following reports of Obi’s planned exit from the Labour Party.
The Governor disclosed that Peter Obi had personally informed him of his intention to leave the party, adding that he gave him his blessings. However, Otti emphasized that his own political path remains firmly rooted in the Labour Party for now.
According to the Governor, his membership of the Labour Party predates that of Peter Obi, stressing that he did not join the party because of the former Anambra State governor.
“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him,” Otti said.
He further explained that while Obi’s decision is respected, he has chosen to remain in the party in order to contribute to efforts aimed at rebuilding and repositioning it.
“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 told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party,” the Governor stated.
Otti noted that the Labour Party provided the platform that brought him to power, making it necessary for him to stay and help strengthen the party’s internal structures and direction.
He added that discussions about alternative political options would only arise after genuine efforts have been made to reposition the party.
“That is the party that brought me to power. If we fight and get to the end, and we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. Therefore, for now, I am not defecting to any party,” Otti concluded.
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