KEY POINTS

• Obidient Movement denies issuing any ultimatum to Governor Otti.
• Group says Obidient Movement support is not tied to ADC defection.
• Movement reaffirms backing for Otti’s administration in Abia.

The Abia State chapter of the Obidient Movement has rejected reports claiming it threatened to withdraw support for Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 elections if he fails to align politically with Peter Obi in the African Democratic Congress.

In a statement issued Thursday, the group described the reports as a distortion of remarks made at a recent press conference, insisting it has neither issued an ultimatum nor tied its political support to Otti’s party affiliation.

The statement, signed by National/South East Advisory Council member Ebere Obiesie, Abia State Secretary Bethel Nwokoma, and spokesperson Chibuzor Obiesili, urged the public to disregard what it called “false, baseless and mischievous” interpretations circulating in parts of the media.

Obidient Movement clarifies position on Otti

According to the group, its press briefing earlier in the week focused on condemning what it described as coordinated attacks on the Otti administration by former Abia governors and their political allies. It added that organisers never intended the event to pressure the governor on party alignment or to threaten a withdrawal of support.

“The Obidient Movement Abia State chapter wishes to categorically state that any claim suggesting we demanded Governor Alex Otti’s defection to the ADC, or issued an ultimatum, does not represent our position,” the statement said.

The group said critics quoted its remarks out of context and amplified them in a way that misrepresented its views. It added that the Movement remains focused on governance outcomes rather than partisan maneuvering ahead of the next election cycle.

Obidient Movement reaffirms backing for Otti

The Obidient Movement reiterated what it described as its “unwavering support” for Otti, citing his administration’s emphasis on transparency, infrastructure renewal and service delivery in Abia State.

It also criticized what it called a “gang up” by three former governors and their associates, accusing them of attempting to undermine the current administration for personal or political gain. Such actions, the group said, run counter to the state’s ongoing reforms and development agenda.

The statement said the governor’s people-oriented efforts to rebuild and reposition Abia State were evident and described attempts to discredit his administration as self-serving and regressive.

By distancing itself from the reports, the Obidient Movement sought to further draw a clear line between its continued support for Otti’s government and broader national political realignments linked to Peter Obi and the ADC.