Tinubu’s Re-election Support: Labour Party Refutes Claims of Otti’s Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid

 

The Labour Party in Abia State has pushed back against assertions linking Governor Alex Otti with support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The clarification comes on the heels of a statement by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who suggested earlier this week that all South-East governors—irrespective of political affiliation—were aligned behind President Tinubu’s re-election bid. Speaking during an engagement on Tuesday, Umahi claimed that the five governors from the region would support the President in the coming polls.

However, addressing reporters in Umuahia on Thursday, the Abia State Chairman of the Labour Party, Emmanuel Otti, dismissed Umahi’s comments, calling them speculative and lacking any formal confirmation from Governor Otti or the party.

“Governor Otti has not informed the Labour Party of any intention to support President Tinubu’s re-election,” the party chairman stated. “What the minister said was merely a projection, not a declaration based on current reality.”

Otti noted that Umahi’s phrasing was key, highlighting that the minister said South-East governors will support Tinubu—implying a prediction rather than a statement of fact. He underscored the importance of distinguishing between speculation and established party or gubernatorial positions.

The conversation around Otti’s perceived alignment with the Presidency intensified following the governor’s recent invitation to President Tinubu to commission the rehabilitated Port Harcourt Road in Aba. This move sparked political interpretations, with some suggesting it signaled a growing closeness between Otti and the APC-led federal government.

Otti, however, was quick to separate governance from politics. He clarified that the President’s expected presence in Abia is strictly in his capacity as the nation’s leader. “It is the President’s duty to inaugurate completed federal or collaborative projects. Abia remains a part of Nigeria, and such visits should not be construed as political endorsements,” he said.

Pressed on whether political declarations could emerge during the President’s visit, the Labour Party chairman declined to speculate. “Neither the governor nor the President has revealed what they plan to say. It would be inappropriate to preempt their remarks,” he added.

As political permutations ahead of 2027 begin to shape up, the Labour Party in Abia is making it clear that Governor Otti’s stance remains unaligned, at least for now. Any assertions to the contrary, according to the party, are premature and unfounded.