2027: Don’t Disrupt Opposition Campaigns — Otti Warns Supporters

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has warned Labour Party supporters against disrupting opposition parties’ campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying anyone who obstructs lawful political events will face the law.

Otti gave the warning on Sunday in Umuahia while flagging off the Labour Party’s campaign for the 2027 polls in the state. He said opposition parties must be allowed to conduct their activities freely, provided they obtain the required approvals and pay stipulated fees for public facilities.

The governor said he had issued a directive permitting rival parties to use public facilities, including the stadium, in line with established procedures.

“You do not have my mandate to attack people or to stop people from campaigning,” Otti said, adding that security agencies had been directed to arrest anyone who attempted to obstruct legitimate political activities, including Labour Party members.

He said political competition should be based on issues and policy proposals rather than personal attacks, urging parties to present their manifestos and explain how their plans would address the needs of residents.

Otti also challenged opposition politicians to examine available performance data before criticising his administration. He cited assessments of Abia’s performance by governance-monitoring organisations, including the Citizen Satisfaction Index, State Performance Index and Fiscal Performance Ranking.

The governor maintained that political campaigns in the state should focus on development priorities and the next phase of governance. He argued that discussions should move beyond issues such as salaries, pensions, road construction and sanitation, which he said his administration had addressed.

Otti thanked supporters who attended the campaign launch and urged them to intensify grassroots mobilisation by taking the party’s message to communities across the state.

He called on members to engage residents and encourage them to support what he described as the continuation of the political journey that began 12 years ago.

The event also featured the presentation of the Labour Party flag to its candidates for the 2027 National and State Houses of Assembly elections.