Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has officially received some key opposition political heavyweights from Umunnato – Ngwa, comprising Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North, and Isiala Ngwa South LGAs, including Chief Ncheta Omerekpe, Onyebuchi Ememanka, GOC Nnaji, and others who recently dumped the PDP, APC, and ADC to join the Labour Party.

Receiving the new members into the Labour Party on Saturday, at the Nbawsi Mini Stadium, Isialangwa North LGA, Governor Otti said that no new member of the party would be discriminated against.

“So, as you are joining today, you have the same status with me. If you want to be Governor, then you can come and contest with me,” Gov. Otti stated, saying that that is what distinguishes the Labour Party from other political parties, as once you become a member, you start enjoying the same privileges with others.

Governor Otti, who explained that what is being built in Nsulu land is not just an international airport but an Airport City, thanked for the people of the area for supporting the decision of the government to site the Airport project in their place.

“Let me thank all our brothers and sisters for their support. Particularly, the genuine people who have supported our decision to site an Airport in this community.

“Because it is a City, there are so many things that will come with it. If you are following, you will understand that the Nigerian Air Force has already taken 100 hectares of land to build their facility here.

“A highly-rated hotel is going to be sited at the Airport. This hotel is going to be managed internationally. Plazas, so many things are coming with the Airport City.

“So, if you didn’t understand it before, understand it, that we are not just putting an Airport. It will come with a lot of things that will provide jobs for our people, move the economy forward, and give our people a new lease of life, Gov. Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive said that he was aware that some individuals from Nsulu are not receptive to the idea of siting the Airport in their community.

“I am aware that some of your sons have been against siting the Airport here. It is because they don’t understand.

“There is no way they would be against something that will lift this community.

“So, my message to you is that, when you go back, those who are from this community, we are not interested in fighting with them, even though we will win them,” explaining that the land belongs to the government, and the person who has the authority to take the land or give it out is the Governor.

Also, the acting State Chairman of the Labour Party, Sir Emmanuel Nweze Oti, while noting that the defectors came from PDP, APC, and ADC, cutting across the 3 LGAs known as Umunnato, said,

“They saw your (Gov. Otti) works across all sectors and decided to come and join you.”

The Labour Party Chairman stated that Governor Alex Otti has placed Abia State on a pedestal of development, noting that the people have clearly witnessed a positive shift in the narrative of governance under his leadership.

The host and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, while appreciating the Governor for accepting the stakeholders into the party, described the reception and the official joining of the political heavyweights to the Labour Party as unprecedented.

“You will understand that this axis is a very big enclave of the PDP and the opposition elements and today, these people from Isialangwa North, Isialangwa South and Osisioma coming together to declare with one voice that they are supporting the Governor come 2027, is a demonstration of a vote of confidence in his performance within the past, close to 3 years now,” Pastor Ajagba stated.

Speaking on behalf of the other new entrants into the Labour Party, the pioneer secretary of PDP in 1998 in Isialangwa North and the PDP Chairman of Isialangwa North who just resigned, Elder Dr. GOC Nnaji said that he is happy to identify with the Governor because the Governor has brought positive change to Abia.

Dr. Nnaji thanked Governor Otti for accepting them into the Labour Party and assured him of their commitment to ensuring the Governor’s reelection in 2027.

“I want to assure you that we are doing what we do with all sincerity. As the immediate past PDP chairman of Isialangwa North. It wasn’t a very easy decision to take.

“We will not disappoint you. We will complement your efforts. We will join all the old members of the Labour Party to add value to the party.

“I want to assure you that 2027 is going to be a landslide victory for you. If your election ended two days after (in 2023), I want to assure you that by 2 p.m., February 2027, all of us will be coasting to your residence to celebrate,” Dr Nnnaji stated.

In their various speeches, Chief Ncheta Omerekpe and Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka said that Governor Alex Otti has performed exceptionally well and deserves reelection in 2027.

They said that it is Governor Alex Otti’s performance that keeps attracting stakeholders from various parties to the Labour Party, maintaining that the 2027 election would be a fight between light and darkness, and that light will prevail.

Former Deputy State Chairman of PDP, Barr. Ekele Nwaohamuo, Dr J.C Oduh, Barr. Andrew Ijere, Chief Chamberlin Onyenonwe, among other hundreds of political stakeholders, were officially received by the Governor in the company of the Labour Party acting National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, and other party stalwarts.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
April 4th, 2026.