ADC Targets Abia as Must-Win State for Atiku-Amaechi Ticket, Leverages Otti-Amaechi Relationship
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is reportedly targeting Abia as a must-win state for the Atiku Abubakar-Rotimi Amaechi presidential ticket, with the party said to be hoping to leverage the close relationship between Amaechi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
An insider familiar with the political developments who wants to remain anonymous said that Governor Otti is facing a difficult political balancing act and has found it challenging to openly declare support for any presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
According to the source, Otti’s political dilemma is partly linked to his support base, who are overwhelmingly Peter Obi supporters called “Obidents”. Recall, Mr. Peter Obi is now the Presidential candidate of the NDC with Musa Kwankwaso as running mate.
The source claimed that an open alignment by Governor Otti with a candidate other than Mr. Peter Obi would alienate a significant segment of his support base, particularly on social media, which the source described as an important platform in governor Otti’s political communication strategy.
The governor, the source further claimed, has also not publicly shown commitment and support for the 2027 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, who is from Arochukwu in Abia State. It is confirmed that Labour Party campaign materials in the state have not featured their presidential candidate.
The source said Amaechi’s close relationship with Otti could provide the ADC with an avenue to strengthen its presence in Abia as Atiku seeks to make inroads into the South-East. The source disclosed that former, Rivers state Governor, Romiti Amaechi had always supported the political aspirations of Dr. Alex Otti and now seems to be the pay back time for the Abia governor.
The political realignment involving Otti’s ally was also cited as part of the wider development. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described by the source as an ally of Governor Otti, moved from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ADC amid speculation that Otti could eventually align with the party, particularly if the courts recognise Barrister Julius Abure as the authentic national chairman of the Labour Party. Abaribe subsequently joined Labour Party and emerged as the Party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District.
The insider further claimed that although Otti has privately assured some members of the Presidency of his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor’s political calculations have made it difficult for him to publicly commit himself to the APC presidential candidate. The source said the presidency should question why Governor Otti is not openly campaigning for the reelection of President Tinubu like the Governor’s of Anambra and Osun states who are not members of the APC but still openly support the President’s reelection bid.
The source alleged that Otti is not yet openly committed to any Presidential candidate because of uncertainty over the eventual outcome of the 2027 presidential election, preferring, for now, to keep his options open and reassure different political interests of his support.
However, the source claimed that among the major presidential options, Otti is considered more comfortable with the Atiku-Amaechi ticket.
