Tension Grips Labour Party As Fears Spread Otti, Other Members May Join Apc
There are growing concerns within the ranks of the opposition Labour Party LP following speculations of an impending mass defection of some of its high-profile members, including the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti. Saturday Vanguard gathered that some of the members are waiting for a final pronouncement by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on the Supreme Court verdict on the leadership tussle before making their move.
A top ranking party official familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter confided in this paper that governor Otti was discussing personal terms with the APC. The source said, The governor is yet to move because his conditions have not yet been met.
He wants the APC leadership to grant him and all members of his State House of Assembly as well as the National Assembly to be given a right of first refusal with respect to the 2027 tickets.
The party is asking him to join in his own capacity, promising to make that concession arguing that extending the same courtesies to his lawmakers had the potential of throwing the party into turmoil. One thing I know for sure is that negotiations have reached an advanced stage.