Tension grips Labour Party as Gov Otti, Other High Profile Members set to defects to APC
Abia State governor, Alex Otti has been mentioned amongst other high profile members of the Labour Party that may defects to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
In a story published by Vanguard, Friday, opposition Labour Party will soon experience a mass defection following crisis rocking the party.
It was gathered that while some of the members are waiting for a final pronouncement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the Supreme Court verdict on the leadership tussle, before making their move.
A source privy to the situation told Vanguard that Governor Otti was discussing “personal terms” with the APC.
The source said, “The governor is yet to move because his conditions have not yet been met.
“He wants the APC leadership to grant him and all members of his State House of Assembly as well as the National Assembly to be given a right of first refusal with respect to the 2027 tickets.
“The party is asking him to join in his own capacity, promising to make that concession, arguing that extending the same courtesies to his lawmakers had the potential of throwing the party into turmoil. One thing I know for sure is that negotiations have reached an advanced stage,” the source said.
Recall that Governor Otti and the LP Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi have since dissociated themselves from the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC).
They have instead thrown their weight behind the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee which they were both instrumental to setting up.
As things stand, while Senator Nanedi Usman holds sway as LP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Julius Abure insists such a body is alien to the party’s constitution as such, he remains National Chairman.
Both groups await INEC’s position which is expected to be based on the Supreme Court judgement. The decision of electoral management body based on its understanding of the judgement will determine who it would do business with as LP leader (s).
