Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has unequivocally denied persistent reports that he plans to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to join a new opposition coalition, potentially spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Speaking publicly in Umuahia on Tuesday, July 2, and during an interactive session with the Abia State global economic council, Governor Otti firmly dismissed such speculation as baseless and unfounded. He affirmed his continued membership in the Labour Party and stressed that he has neither been invited to nor attended any coalition meetings.

Otti, who assumed office under the Labour Party banner in 2023, emphasized that his primary focus remains exclusively on delivering good governance and fulfilling his mandate to the people of Abia State. He reiterated that neither he nor his team is involved in any national-level coalition talks, stating, "We are busy doing the work that Abia people have given us. We are not attending any coalition meeting. I have not attended one. Nobody has invited me." This strong stance is intended to reassure Labour Party supporters both within Abia and across Nigeria.

Addressing past internal disputes within the Labour Party, Governor Otti spoke candidly about disagreements, acknowledging them as a normal part of any functional political system. He recounted that such issues, including those that went "all the way to the Supreme Court to reclaim our party," have been resolved through due process. He expressed optimism that any remaining concerns within the party would be settled soon, adding, "You don’t run away from problems, you stay and fix them."

In recent weeks, various opposition figures have explored the idea of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) being mentioned as a potential platform. This coalition, which reportedly adopted the ADC on Wednesday, has appointed figures like former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola to interim leadership roles. However, Governor Otti made it clear that he is not part of these discussions or alignments. His consistent declaration, "I am committed to good governance," aims to lay to rest the swirling rumors of his defection.

In addition to his political clarifications, Governor Otti also announced practical steps for state development. He confirmed plans to recruit 4,000 additional teachers in Abia State, which will bring the total number of new teachers in primary and secondary schools to 9,394, underscoring his administration's focus on educational advancement.