Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has raised alarm over alleged threats from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming he has been pressured to defect to the ruling party ahead of upcoming elections.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Otti alleged that some political figures within the APC warned him that he would “lose the election” and even face death if he refused to join them.
“They are threatening me, saying, ‘You will lose the election if you don’t join APC. We will kill you before the election even comes. INEC will rig Abia State’s election, and there’s nothing you can do,’” Otti said.
The Abia governor vowed to resist any attempt to intimidate or manipulate the electoral process, warning that any assault on the will of Abians would be met with fierce resistance.
“Let it be known — the next Biafra war will start from Abia State if anyone dares to challenge my will. I will protect Abia State with everything in me,” he warned.
Otti, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), reiterated his commitment to democratic governance and transparency, urging security agencies and electoral bodies to remain impartial.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not issued an official response to the governor’s allegations. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also declined comment on the matter.
The comments have since stirred reactions across the political landscape, with many calling for calm while others demand an investigation into the alleged threats.
