Otti Claims spark fresh tensions as Abia Labour Party warns APC against linking Governor Alex Otti to its internal disputes

The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party on Friday warned the All Progressives Congress to stop linking Governor Alex Otti to what it described as the opposition party’s growing internal political crisis in the state.

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The warning followed allegations made by Abia APC Publicity Secretary Uche Aguoru, who accused Governor Alex Otti of sponsoring a false publication claiming that Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, had abandoned his alleged governorship ambition and endorsed the governor for a second term.

Reacting in a strongly worded statement issued in Umuahia, Labour Party Publicity Secretary Emenike Iroegbu dismissed the allegation and insisted that the state government had no interest in Benjamin Kalu’s future political plans.

The party described the repeated attempts to associate Governor Alex Otti with APC disputes as unnecessary and politically motivated.

According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti remains focused on governance, rebuilding infrastructure, repositioning the economy and restoring confidence in public institutions across Abia State.

The Labour Party said the governor had no reason to be distracted by what it called speculative political narratives surrounding opposition figures.

“The Labour Party would not ordinarily dignify such a needless and panic-driven publication with a response, but it has become necessary to advise the Abia APC to desist from the habitual attempt to use the good name of Governor Alex Otti to drive their endless political narratives and internal anxieties,” the statement said.

The party added that Governor Alex Otti’s performance had naturally become the benchmark for governance in the state, a development it said appeared to be unsettling opposition politicians.

The statement further maintained that the Labour Party was not interested in debates over endorsements or alleged political alignments ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Emenike Iroegbu urged the APC in Abia State to focus on rebuilding its structure and presenting alternative policies instead of constantly drawing the governor into its internal disagreements.

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The fresh exchange highlights rising political tension in Abia State as early alignments and calculations ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.