Abia Governor, Alex Otti, has cautioned those allegedly planning to rig the 2027 qubernatorial election in the state. Otti warned them to “write their will” before attempting to manipulate the people’s mandate. Otti gave the caution during a monthly media chat with journal ists at the Government House in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Thursday, October 16. Otti said: “l’ve heard that some people around him said if they must take over the state, they will write result. “The only advice I have for them is that if they truly want to write result, they should write something else before that time-you know what it is? Their will. Because this is our state, nobody can intimidate us.” Governor Otti also spoke about the need for politicians to avoid early campaigns, maintaining that such action goes against electoral laws. “We must respect the law. If INEC releases the timetable and says this is the time that campaign starts, if you start campaigning before then, you put yourself in harm’s way-you can even be disqualified before the election. “When you gather people and you’re telling them you’re going to take over the state in 2027, you’re campaigning. It is not right,” Otti cautioned. Otti reiterated that the citizens of Abia State will have the final say in electing their next governor through a free, credible and fair process. “If he wants to run an election, once INEC blows the whistle, he should go and pick up a form and begin to campaign. It’s for Abia people to decide who would be their Governor,” he added.
