“Write Your Own Will, Not Election Results” — Otti Warns Against Manipulating 2027 Abia Governorship Election

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has cautioned politicians against any attempts to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 governorship election, urging all political actors to respect the will of the people.

Speaking on Thursday during his monthly media briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti stressed that the election would be determined by “the will of God and the people,” not by political scheming.

“I have heard that some people are boasting that they must take over this state and that they will write results,” the governor said. “My advice to them is simple — they should write something else first before that time, and that is their will.”

Otti’s remarks were in response to comments attributed to Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who reportedly said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over Abia State in 2027.

While Otti affirmed that he has no objection to anyone contesting the governorship, he emphasized that the process must be credible, transparent, and free from manipulation.

“Everyone has the right to aspire, but no one should think they can undermine the will of Abians,” he added, warning that any attempt to subvert the people’s mandate would have consequences.

The governor’s statement comes amid early political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections. Otti, who won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), is serving his first term in office and reiterated his commitment to upholding democratic processes in the state.