Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has issued a stern warning to political actors planning to rig the 2027 governorship election, cautioning that such individuals should prepare for the consequences by “writing their will.”
Speaking during the October edition of Alex Otti Speaks to Abians, held at the Government House in Umuahia and streamed via Channels Television’s YouTube page, the governor made it clear that the will of God and the people—not political manipulation—would determine the next administration in the state.
“I have heard that some people around him say, ‘Oh, they must take over this state, they must write results,’” Otti said. “But the only advice I have for them is that if they truly want to write results, they should write something else before that time. You know what it is? Their will.”
The comment was a pointed response to reported remarks made by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who recently expressed the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) ambition to reclaim Abia State in the next electoral cycle.
Otti, who ran under the Labour Party, ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) more than two-decade-long rule in Abia during the 2023 governorship election. His administration has since positioned itself as a reformist government focused on good governance, transparency, and citizen engagement.
The governor’s remarks underscore growing political tension in the state as early posturing begins ahead of the 2027 election. His warning is widely seen as a call for a free and fair electoral process, and a rejection of past practices that allegedly marred elections in the region.
Otti’s strong message has sparked debate in political circles, with many interpreting it as a signal that his administration will not tolerate electoral malpractice or intimidation in any form.
The 2027 election, though still two years away, is already shaping up to be a high-stakes contest, with rival parties strategising to unseat the Labour Party-led government in Abia.
