The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has condemned a threat by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to suspend former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah, following his public endorsement of Governor Alex Otti’s re-election bid.
The LP’s response, issued in a statement by state Publicity Secretary Chidiebere Okoro, defended Ogah’s right to express his opinion. The party asserted that the former minister committed no anti-party offence and labelled the APC’s actions as an attempt to subject “illustrious citizens” to “public opprobrium through baseless and unfounded allegations.”
“It is an insult for Dr Ogah and other illustrious citizens to be subjected to public opprobrium through baseless and unfounded allegations just because they are exposed and informed enough to hold and express opinions,” the LP statement read.
The dispute stems from an event in Isuikwuato Local Government Area on Saturday, where Ogah, a prominent figure in Abia politics, declared his support for Governor Otti’s prospective second term. The LP clarified that Ogah’s statement was a personal assessment of Otti’s performance as governor and not an act of party disloyalty.
In reaction, the Abia State APC, through its Publicity Secretary Uche Aguoru, issued a statement on Sunday accusing Ogah of acting as a “mole” within the party. Aguoru announced that the APC would activate an “immediate investigative mechanism” to probe the matter and recommend appropriate disciplinary action.
This public clash highlights the shifting political alliances in Abia State, a southeastern region where the LP’s Alex Otti defeated an APC incumbent in the 2023 governorship election. Ogah, a former minister under the APC-led federal administration, remains a significant political figure in the state. His praised endorsement of the LP governor is seen by analysts as a potential signal of realignment among political elites ahead of future elections.
The APC’s threatened internal investigation and the LP’s strong rebuttal underscore the sensitivity of political allegiance in Nigeria’s opposition strongholds. The outcome of the APC’s probe into Ogah’s conduct could influence political dynamics and voter perceptions in Abia State as the electoral cycle progresses.
