Abia State Governor and National Leader of the Labour Party (LP), Dr Alex Otti, has expressed optimism that the party will achieve remarkable success in the 2027 general elections in Imo State, urging its candidates to strengthen grassroots campaigns and ensure their votes are protected.
Otti made the call during his visit to Owerri, where he officially flagged off the Labour Party’s campaign in the state. He urged candidates and party supporters to approach the forthcoming elections with determination, courage and vigilance, emphasising that electoral victory goes beyond simply casting votes.
The governor spoke at the All Saints Cathedral Church Field in Egbu, Owerri, during a campaign rally attended by the party’s national leaders, candidates and supporters.
Addressing party members, Otti encouraged the candidates to remain confident in their chances of winning, stressing that they must take deliberate steps to safeguard their votes during the electoral process.
“Go out there and win because victory is certain.
“You have only one vote. Only one. So, it is not enough to cast it; you need to protect it,” he said.
He congratulated the candidates on securing the party’s tickets and called on them to put aside their differences, strengthen their grassroots structures and work together to secure victory at the polls.
However, Otti clarified that the Imo State governorship election was not part of the party’s campaign focus, revealing that incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma was his close friend.
He also warned against unnecessary political comparisons and the indiscriminate use of the title “Best Governor”, explaining that every state had its unique challenges and required a different approach to leadership.
According to him, his administration in Abia State remained focused on tackling the challenges inherited when he assumed office rather than engaging in competition with other state governors.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Salisu Nuhu Muhammed, formally presented the party’s flags to its candidates contesting for the Imo East Senatorial District seat and other National and State Assembly positions.
Usman urged the candidates to uphold the party’s values, proudly represent its platform and work tirelessly towards victory. She expressed confidence that the Labour Party would secure significant electoral victories in Imo State.
She also appealed to voters in Imo East to support the party, describing Governor Otti’s achievements in Abia as proof of the Labour Party’s ability to provide effective leadership and good governance.
Other national officers, including the National Secretary, Hon. Acho Obioma; National Organising Secretary, Mrs Oluchi Opara; National Woman Leader, Mrs Hilda Dokubo; and National Youth Leader, Hon. Collins Okpara, also called on supporters to rally behind the party’s candidates.
They praised Otti’s leadership and encouraged voters across Imo East and other constituencies to give the Labour Party an opportunity to serve, expressing confidence that the party could achieve similar progress in Imo State if elected.
The Labour Party’s senatorial candidate for Imo East, Sir Basil Maduka, appreciated Otti for attending the rally, describing his presence as a strong show of support and solidarity.
Maduka also appealed to voters in his constituency to support his ambition, promising to provide effective and purposeful representation if elected.
Earlier, the Imo State Labour Party Chairman, Hon. Dr Nelson Ezerioha, welcomed the party’s national leadership, members and supporters who gathered from different parts of the state.
He presented the party’s senatorial and House of Representatives candidates and urged members to intensify their mobilisation efforts while working collectively to secure victory in the forthcoming elections.
The formal presentation of party flags to the candidates was the major highlight of the rally, symbolising the Labour Party’s official endorsement of its candidates ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.
