The Abia State government has dismissed as "unfounded and baseless" reports that Governor Alex Otti met with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to discuss a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Otti on Media and Publicity, clarified that the rumour was entirely false and without merit. 

He said, “The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodimma 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.”

Ekeoma further explained that following the National Economic Council meeting on April 24, Otti and a few of his colleagues joined Governor Uzodimma for a celebration marking the birthday of his twin daughters.

He emphasised that the event was purely social and unrelated to political matters.

“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,” Ekeoma added.

Governor Otti, according to his media aide, remains focused on governance and is not currently contemplating the politics of 2027.

“Governor Otti strongly holds the view that though political activities seem to have once again started gathering momentum, 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,” Ekeoma said.

He concluded, “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.”