Alex Otti, Abia State governor, says he will not leave the Labour Party (LP) despite Peter Obi’s decision to quit the platform.
Otti spoke in Umuahia on Tuesday during his monthly media engagement with journalists in the state capital.
The governor explained that Obi had personally informed him of his exit plan, adding that he gave his blessing, but resolved to remain in the party to strengthen it.
“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him,” Otti said.
“He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. I gave him my blessings. But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party.”
The Abia governor stressed that he owed loyalty to the platform that produced him and intends to help reposition it.
“That is the party that brought me to power. If we fight and get to the end, and we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. Therefore, for now, I am not defecting to any party,” he added.
Otti, however, declined to reveal which political party the former Anambra governor is considering as his next destination.
He also reacted to calls by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, urging him to defect to the All Progressives Congress, insisting he will not be distracted.
“Ordinarily, I would not respond to matters like that,” he said.
“However, those of you who listened to my Christmas message will recall that I called on our people who have enough to extend support to the less privileged, particularly at this period.
“So, seeing that he heeded the call and distributed money to vulnerable people, I thank him for doing that.
“But I have also taken a principled decision not to be dignify all the comments he made with any response.”
The governor quoted former British prime minister Winston Churchill to emphasise his resolve to stay focused on governance.
“I am sure you are aware of a man called Winston Churchill,” he said.
“He was a two-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and lived from 1874 to 1965.
“He was a profound thinker and writer who said, ‘You will never get to your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.’ We will remain focused on our job.”