A major political realignment unfolded in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State on Thursday as prominent members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party formally defected to the Labour Party and unanimously endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in 2027.
The high-profile defections, announced at a gathering in Ohanku community, signal a significant boost for the governor’s political base in the oil-rich Ndoki axis of the state.
Among those who joined the Labour Party are the member representing Ukwa East State Constituency, Hon. Lewis Obianyi; former Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Paul Taribo of the APC; former commissioner and former Ukwa East Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Ossy Nwamuo; and two-time Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Chinedu Brown. Several other influential political figures from the area also aligned with the ruling party in the state.
Speaking at the event, the defectors described their decision as a collective move driven by what they termed “visible governance strides” across Abia.
They pledged to work for the consolidation of Otti’s administration and mobilise grassroots support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Welcoming the new members into the Labour Party fold, Governor Otti expressed gratitude for what he called a vote of confidence in his leadership and performance. He assured them that his administration would remain focused on delivering infrastructure, economic revitalisation and improved welfare for residents.
The governor also used the occasion to address a long-standing concern in the Ndoki area, announcing that electric power would be fully restored to the region by the end of March 2026. According to him, the restoration project would end more than two decades of power outages that have hampered economic and social activities in the communities.
Residents of Ndoki land have repeatedly lamented the absence of stable electricity supply, noting its impact on businesses and quality of life. Otti said the government had taken concrete steps to resolve the challenge permanently, adding that contractors were already working to meet the March deadline.
Political observers say the defections could reshape the power dynamics in Ukwa East, traditionally a battleground between the APC and PDP. With key stakeholders now backing the Labour Party, analysts predict an intensified contest as 2027 approaches.
For Governor Otti, Thursday’s development not only strengthens his foothold in Ukwa East but also underscores growing momentum around his administration’s reform agenda across Abia State.
