The Abia State government has debunked suggestions that Governor Alex Otti’s recent comment ahead of the 2027 general election has the tendency to cause violence in the state.
Okey Kanu, the Abia State commissioner for information said Otti’s warning urging those who plan to manipulate the 2027 elections to write their wills is in line with constitutional principles.
Kanu in a statement issued on Sunday said said the governor’s statement is neither a threat nor a call to violence but a figurative expression of the Otti administration’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law, the sanctity of the ballot, and the protection of the people’s mandate.
Stating that the governor’s remark is not out of line, Kanu noted that the statement equally resonates with the Electoral Act, 2022, particularly Section 128, which criminalises result falsification and prescribes penalties for any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.
According to Kanu, Otti’s move to caution against unlawful electoral practices highlights the governor’s effort to ensure that Abia State remains a model for free, fair, and transparent elections in Nigeria.
Kanu said, “His statement was a lawful, democratic warning to those who may contemplate undermining the will of the people, a reminder that every action has legal consequences under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.”
The commissioner also urging the people of Abia and members of the public to ensure they interpret the governor’s remark in line with the law said the state government remains committed to peace, dialogue, and inclusive governance, while upholding the rule of law as the cornerstone of a thriving democracy.
“This government will continue to protect the rights and freedoms of all Abians as enshrined in Section 39(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, provided such expression promotes peace, truth, and the collective interest of society.
“The era of electoral malpractice and subversion of the people’s will is over. Under Governor Alex Otti’s leadership, Abia is building a new democratic culture founded on transparency, integrity, and genuine service to the people,” Kanu stated.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
