- Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has warned those allegedly planning to rig the 2027 election to “write their will,” stressing that no one can intimidate the people or subvert their mandate. He also cautioned against early campaigning, reminding politicians to wait for INEC’s official timetable.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has issued a stern warning to political actors allegedly plotting to rig the 2027 governorship election, urging them to “write their will” before attempting to subvert the will of the people.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, the governor said he had received reports of individuals planning to “take over the state” through unlawful means. He vowed that such attempts would be strongly resisted by the people of Abia.
“If they must write results, they should write something else before that time — their will,” Otti declared. “Because this is our state; nobody can intimidate us.”
The governor also cautioned politicians against engaging in premature campaigns, emphasizing that it violates electoral laws. He reminded aspirants that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the authority to release the timetable for campaigns.
“If you start campaigning before then, you put yourself in harm’s way — you can even be disqualified,” he said.
According to Otti, political gatherings or public declarations of ambition before INEC’s official timetable amount to early campaigning.
“When you gather people and say you’ll take over the state in 2027, you’re campaigning. It is not right,” he warned.
Elected in 2023 under the Labour Party, Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to a transparent and fair electoral process in Abia State. He maintained that the people will have the ultimate say in choosing their next leader.
“Once INEC blows the whistle, anyone can run; it’s for Abia people to decide who will be their governor,” he concluded.
Leave a Reply