The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has expressed confidence that Abia State Governor Alex Otti may defect to the PDP before the 2027 general elections, describing him as a valuable political asset.
Speaking in Umuahia on Sunday after the launch of the Abia 25‑Year Development Plan, the former Senate President said the PDP would not hesitate to hand Otti its governorship ticket if he joined the party.
“If he makes up his mind to join the Big Umbrella, the party will not hesitate to give him the governorship ticket in 2027,” Wabara declared.
Wabara praised Otti’s performance in office, noting that his governance record has made him attractive across party lines.
He commended achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, industry, and security, highlighting the introduction of electric buses for urban mass transit.
“As an elder statesman and stakeholder in Abia politics, I have a moral obligation to acknowledge performance, irrespective of party affiliation. Good governance should not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics,” Wabara said.
He recalled his earlier support for Otti’s rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, a federal road long abandoned, saying critics who opposed his stance had now been proven wrong.
“Today, I have been vindicated. Abians across political divides are celebrating the evidence of good governance in the state,” he added.
PDP’s Strategy in the South-East
The PDP governed Abia State from 1999 until 2023, before losing ground to Otti’s Labour Party.
Wabara stressed that the South‑East remains a traditional PDP stronghold, and Otti’s defection would strengthen the party’s chances while restoring the zone’s relevance in national politics.
He pointed to ongoing efforts by the PDP’s National Working Committee, led by Senator Tanimu Turaki, to reposition and rebrand the party ahead of 2027.
“In 2027, the governor will need a stronger platform like the PDP, with the national spread and capacity to withstand the antics of the ruling party, which is instigating crises in opposition parties,” Wabara said.
Since taking office in May 2023, Otti has focused on infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, and public sector reforms, earning recognition beyond party lines.
His growing profile has fueled speculation about possible realignments in Abia politics, especially amid leadership disputes within the Labour Party and opposition parties’ efforts to strengthen their platforms ahead of 2027.
For the PDP, attracting Otti could be a strategic coup—reclaiming Abia and reinforcing its influence in the South‑East as Nigeria heads into another high‑stakes election cycle.
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