Governor Alex Otti has dismissed the uproar from opposition figures in Abia State as mere background noise, affirming that his administration remains focused on delivering results for the people. He made the remark today while welcoming Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, the newly elected member for Bende North State Constituency, who recently left the PDP to join the ruling Labour Party.
According to Governor Otti, many opposition hopefuls engage in electoral activities not with the genuine intention of winning, but rather to gain recognition, leverage negotiation, or lay groundwork for future political ambitions. “Some merely want their names on the ballot to say they participated,” he explained. “Others see primary contests as bargaining chips. And a few stir the pot now so that, years down the line, they can point to this moment as proof of their long-term commitment.”
Instead of engaging in verbal sparring, the Governor insisted, his priority remains fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon him by Abians. “We respond to every outcry with action—by building roads, improving schools, and strengthening healthcare,” he said. “For our administration, governance is about stewardship and leadership, not soundbites.”
Governor Otti also applauded Hon. Ibekwe’s decision to join the Labour Party, stressing that the move was entirely voluntary and driven by the Governor’s record of “unprecedented achievements” in office. He underscored his belief that effective governance transcends party labels, promising that Mr. Ibekwe would receive a formal reception and assume a leadership role within the party’s ranks.
Hon. Ibekwe, in turn, praised the Governor’s visionary leadership, declaring that “there has never been a better time to be an Abia person.” He pledged his full support—and that of his supporters—for Governor Otti’s bid for re-election in 2027.
Accompanying Mr. Ibekwe were key stakeholders from Bende North, including Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Cliff Agbaeze; Labour Party stalwart Chief Uwakwe Maduka; former Commissioner for Boundary Matters Mr. Mascot Obike; and APC spokesperson Mr. Okey Ezeala, among others, all expressing confidence in the Governor’s transformative agenda for Abia State.
Governor Otti stated this while receiving a delegation of the member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe who recently dumped the PDP and joined the ruling Labour Party in Abia State.
He said that some of the opposition members who make noise about coming to contest elections do not actually mean to run elections but seek either recognition, negotiation or projection, hence, should not be taken seriously.
“We are not bothered about the oppositions and their noise. There are different reasons why people show up (for elections). Sometimes, they just want recognition; that their names showed up for the primaries, knowing fully well that they will not win the election.
“Some of them also come for negotiations and then of course, some others also show up for projections; they look at themselves and say, ‘if I start the noise in 2025, maybe by 2040, they will know that I have been in the race and they will call me and recognize me’, so they are projecting themselves,” Gov. Otti explained.
Governor Otti said that he is rather focused on doing the job the people elected him to do and respond to the noise of the opposition with the works he is doing across the State.
“People are making noise but I respond with work. We are very committed to the job that our people asked us to do. We are doing just that.
“For us, governance is about stewardship and leadership. And that is what is keeping us here,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Alex Otti, while congratulating Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe on his bold decision to leave his former political party to join him in the Labour Party noted that nobody pressurised him to leave his party, reiterating that leaving his former Party was his voluntary decision.
He said that his government does not emphasize much on political platforms in governance but rather pays attention to delivering quality and good governance to the people. He added that the Labour Party does not discriminate, saying that as he has joined, he has become a ranking member of the Labour Party and announced that an official reception would be later organized for him.
Earlier while presenting himself to the Governor, the member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe said that he was attracted to the Labour Party by the achievements of Governor Alex Otti which he described as unprecedented.
Hon. Ibekwe who stated that, this is the best time for Abia people, saluted the visionary leadership of Governor Alex Otti and assured him that himself and his teaming supporters are solidly behind the Governor’s 2027 reelection bid.
Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe was accompanied by some stakeholders in Bende North State Constituency including Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, LP stalwart Chief Uwakwe Maduka, former Commissioner for Boundary Matters, Mr. Mascot Obike, APC Spokesperson in Abia State, Mr. Okey Ezeala among others.