Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has warned politicians and their supporters against resorting to violence during campaigns for the 2027 general elections, assuring that security agencies would provide a level playing field for all parties.
Otti gave the warning on Tuesday in Umuahia while inaugurating the Labour Party Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.
The governor said his administration had created a peaceful environment for political activities in the state, stressing that violent conduct would not be tolerated during the electioneering period.
“We have made this place peaceful and open. Violence will not be entertained. We are not going to tolerate violence,” he said.
Otti disclosed that security agencies had been instructed to ensure that all political parties and their candidates were allowed to campaign freely without intimidation or violence.
He also urged the various groups within the Labour Party to work together, noting that political campaigns were organised around political parties because “Independent candidacy is not allowed in Nigeria yet.”
The governor advised candidates to cooperate with their party leaders and other stakeholders, saying the campaign council’s inauguration was a call to service rather than an avenue for members to assert superiority over others.
“Consider yourself as best among equals”, Otti said, urging the council members to work collectively with the party structures and grassroots stakeholders to achieve victory for the Labour Party.
He stressed that the responsibility for the 2027 campaign extended beyond those present at the inauguration, saying, “The leadership for this campaign goes beyond people sitting here. Everybody is involved”.
Otti further asked candidates to establish their own campaign councils to strengthen the party’s structures and improve its chances at the polls.
He said the state campaign council would coordinate the overall campaign, while candidates and grassroots structures would be responsible for mobilising support in their respective areas.
The governor said the 2027 campaign would be different from that of 2023, which he described as being largely centred on promises.
According to him, the next campaign would focus more on issues, achievements and programmes that directly affect the people.
He urged party members to remain focused and ensure that opponents did not distract them with propaganda, adding that the campaign council would be supported by a Campaign Advisory Council to be chaired by former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Chukwu.
Responding on behalf of the council members, its Director-General, Agwu Agwu, assured the governor that they would work diligently to fulfil his expectations and deploy their collective experience towards securing victory for the Labour Party.
