Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has denied claims that he is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu.
The governor clarified that his trip to the Presidential Villa had nothing to do with politics but was strictly about the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The clarification was issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, who faulted allegations made by a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State, Charles Ogbonnaya.
Ogbonnaya had alleged that Otti’s visit to Aso Rock was part of a political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ekeoma described the rumour as misleading and entirely false.
He explained that Otti had visited Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30, 2025, and proceeded to meet the President two days later as part of long-standing engagements with the Federal Government concerning Kanu’s case.
According to him, the governor has been holding discussions with federal authorities for over two years with the aim of securing Kanu’s release.
He stated that the meeting with President Tinubu was “focused on one issue only,” adding that the governor received a positive response from the President regarding ongoing negotiations.
Ekeoma noted that the matter remains highly sensitive to the state government, making it important to correct any misleading narrative.
The governor’s aide also took a swipe at Ogbonnaya, accusing him of repeatedly attacking Otti due to political grievances dating back to the 2023 election cycle.
He challenged the former commissioner to name the individuals he claimed the governor had betrayed, insisting that no such incident ever occurred.
Ekeoma further argued that the attempt to link Otti to planned defection was unfounded, stressing that several political leaders — including respected figures in the APC — have openly expressed interest in having the governor join their party.
He noted that if Otti were ever to make such a move, he would be welcomed rather than rejected.
He also criticised Ogbonnaya’s claims that Otti lacked political capacity, pointing out that the governor defeated him and his preferred candidates in his polling unit, ward, and local government during the last election.
According to him, Ogbonnaya’s comments showed inconsistency and frustration rather than facts.
Ekeoma added that it was contradictory for the former commissioner to accuse the governor of “playing politics” with Kanu’s matter, yet attack him for making genuine efforts to negotiate with the Federal Government.
He described Ogbonnaya’s remarks as irrational and uncoordinated.
In a related development, Governor Otti’s visit to Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto earlier this week drew attention as many in the South-East continue to call for Kanu’s release, urging the Federal Government to take steps toward resolving the long-standing issue.
