The Abia State chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party dissolved into the Labour Party.
The party, led by governorship candidate Dr. Ukpai Iro Ukpai in the 2023 general elections, praised the state governor, Alex Otti, for making Abia the envy of Nigeria, while also pledging to support Otti in elevating the state’s position.
Ukpai hailed Governor Otti as a “social-political leader” of the state when handing over the party structure to the governor and the LP state chairman, Emmanuel Oti, stating, “Today, we are here to consolidate the pledge I made (of aiding the governor). Otti has made Abians happy while simultaneously establishing the state’s political, social, and spiritual identity.
“As it is now, others copy from Abia and his leadership has come to be. We are all going to put hands together to make sure LP works and to make Abia a state to copy.”
His running mate during the election, Bar. Chiedozie Josiah, and the NNPP state coordinator, David Urum, described the state governor as “a great man who is a servant,” not faking his leadership and one who is doing wonders and offering other leaders a lot to learn from.
Ukpai expressed his feelings about the NNPP’s merger with the Labour Party, saying, “There is nothing like feeling bad, dejected, embarrassed or unhappy about moving to LP. We defected, not deflated.”
Governor Otti responded, recalling that his two previous mandates were stolen “until God came and said, it is enough.” He added, “We don’t discriminate in government and the party. Joining (LP) late does not make one inferior, other.”
Earlier, while receiving defectors into the LP, the state chairman, Oti, stated that others are joining the LP because of Governor Otti’s ideology and attitude on development in the state and abroad, as the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Political Matters. Rt. Hon. Acho Obioma stated his delight that the NNPP is crumbling into the LP as a result of what they have witnessed, urging defectors to join forces with Otti to bring the state ahead.
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
