2027: Cleric Warns APC and Presidency Against Alliance with…

Abia-born cleric, Rev. Chika Ubani, has warned the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency against entering into any form of political alliance with the Abia State governor, Alex Otti, ahead of future electoral contests.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists on Wednesday at the AllYouthAlive Retreat, Ubani urged the ruling party to remain resolute and intent on winning Abia State independently, stressing that any deal with Governor Otti would be a strategic mistake.

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He argued that the APC possessed the structure and capacity to secure victory in the state, urging the presidency not to contemplate ceding Abia to the Labor Party.

“The APC must be determined to take control of Abia. There is no need for any secret deal with Governor Otti. The party has credible and sophisticated candidates who can defeat him convincingly,” Ubani said.

He further cautioned against replicating the political understanding that reportedly exists between the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, stressing that Abia presents a different political reality. According to him, governor Otti does not have the coherence and reliability necessary for such an agreement.

“Abia is not Anambra. Otti is not Charles Soludo, and the Labor Party is not APGA. Any attempt to copy that model in Abia will fail because the personalities and dynamics are completely different,” he said.

Ubani also said the political base that brought Otti to power in 2023 has since disintegrated, claiming that many of his key supporters within the Labor Party have defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leaving the governor politically weakened.

“Those who worked for him in 2023 have largely moved on. Today he is surrounded by inexperienced hands. That’s why you see signs of panic. He knows he no longer has the same goodwill,” Ubani said.

The cleric said Governor Otti is currently seeking political alliances in Abuja and Lagos out of desperation, insisting that such moves should be ignored by the APC leadership and the Presidency.

“He is nervous because the terrain has changed. That is why he is running around Abuja and Lagos seeking alliances. The APC and the Presidency must not fall for it,” he said.

Ubani further argued that if the federal government was inclined to support opposition victories in some states for political balance, Abia should not be counted among such concessions.

“If the federal government wants to allow another opposition party to control a state, it should not be Abia. They can concede any other state, but not Abia. This is a state that the APC can and must win outright,” he said.

Recounting his personal experience, Ubani revealed that he supported Governor Otti during the 2023 elections but has since reconsidered his position, citing what he described as repeated breaches of trust.

“I supported him in 2023, so I know what I say. Otti cannot be trusted; he has proven it personally. The APC must take note of this and avoid any form of political involvement with him,” he concluded.

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