Abia Govt Defends Otti, Says Election Comment Is Backed By Law

The Abia State Government has dismissed insinuations that Governor Alex Otti’s comment on future elections amounted to a threat, insisting the statement reflects a firm commitment to electoral integrity and the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the government said the Governor’s remark — that anyone planning to “write election results” should “first write their wills” — was a figurative caution against electoral malpractice, not a call to violence.

Kanu said the governor’s warning was consistent with the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, both of which outlaw result manipulation and affirm that sovereignty resides with the people.

He described Governor Otti as a peaceful democrat governed by due process, adding that no one had been unlawfully detained in the state since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

“The Governor’s message aligns with constitutional provisions which guarantee that government derives its authority from the consent of the people, and with the Electoral Act, particularly Section 128, which criminalizes result falsification,” the statement read.

According to Kanu, the administration has chosen the path of legality and institutional redress rather than resorting to intimidation or arbitrary detention against political opponents, despite what he described as persistent provocations.

He maintained that Otti’s remark should be understood within its legal and democratic context, noting that under the current administration, Abia is being repositioned as a model for free, fair and credible elections.

The statement further assured that the rights and freedoms of citizens remain protected, provided such expression does not undermine peace or public interest.

“The era of subverting the people’s will is over. Under Governor Otti, Abia is building a new democratic culture anchored on transparency, accountability, and service,” the government said.