Governor Alex Otti has issued a stern warning to individuals allegedly plotting to manipulate the 2027 governorship election in Abia State, telling them to “write their will” before attempting to subvert the people’s mandate.
Speaking during his monthly media interaction at the Government House in Umuahia on Thursday, Governor Otti said intelligence reports indicated that some political figures were already holding secret meetings and making plans to “take over the state” through unlawful means.
“I’ve heard that some people around them said if they must take over the state, they will write results,” Otti revealed. “The only advice I have for them is simple — before you write any result, make sure you write your will, because this is our state and nobody can intimidate us.”
The governor’s remarks come amid rising political tension and early maneuverings by opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Otti, who was elected under the Labour Party in 2023 after years of opposition struggle, stressed that Abia’s democracy had come too far to be undermined by electoral malpractice. “Abia belongs to her people, and they alone will decide who governs them through the ballot box — not through manipulation or force,” he said.
The governor also cautioned politicians and their supporters against engaging in premature campaigns, warning that such actions violate electoral laws.
“We must respect the law. If INEC releases the timetable and says this is when campaigns begin, anyone campaigning before then is acting unlawfully and risks disqualification,” Otti said.
He added that organizing political gatherings, public endorsements, or rallies ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s official timetable constitutes early campaigning. “When you gather people and start telling them you’ll take over the state in 2027, that’s campaigning — and it’s not right,” he noted.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fairness and transparency, Otti said the 2027 election in Abia will be determined by the will of the people.
“When the time comes, INEC will blow the whistle, and those who wish to contest should pick up forms and go to the field. The people of Abia will decide who their next governor will be,” he concluded.
