By PETER ANOSIKE

A member of the Abia Arise Foundation of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State, Comrade Bethel Eze-Onyedikachi, has alleged that some highly placed politicians in the party are working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, to unseat Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 guber election.

According to Eze-Onyedikachi, it is not a coincidence that some staff of Amobi Ogah's Ugo Abia political structure are also members of Ben Kalu Campaign Organization, because they have planned ahead to collapse the structure and work for the emergence of Ben Kalu in 2027 as governor of Abia State.

He recalled what played out at an event purportedly called to promote the work of Alex Otti, during which several government appointees from Umunneochi were seen secretly working to support Deputy Speaker Kalu’s political structure and Amobi Ogah's Ugo Abia.

The video of the occasion which has since gone viral raised eyebrows, and pictured the involvement of the individuals in a clandestine effort to undermine Governor Alex Otti’s Abia Arise movement, Eze-Onyedikachi said.

He argued that this meeting was less about supporting Otti and more about strengthening the Ugo Abia structure in preparation for the 2027 gubernatorial race where Ben Kalu has not hidden his interests.

According to Eze-Onyedikachi, “The appointees of Gov. Otti from Umunneochi are reportedly defying the governor’s directive to align with Abia Arise. Individuals like Hon. Mathias Umeh, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije, and Dr. Oluebube Chukwu have openly continued running their separate political structures, further suggesting a divided political front. This resistance to Otti's directives has raised alarms among his supporters, as it appears that key figures in his government are working against his leadership, possibly setting the stage for a political battle in the near future”.

“Defying the governor's directive has also raised concerns about the loyalty of these appointees, especially in light of their ties to the opposition camp. There is speculation that these individuals are positioning themselves for future political gains, particularly with the 2027 elections where some are interested in vying for offices. Their continued defiance of the governor’s orders to integrate into Abia Arise is a clear indication that they are up to mischief and a betrayal of the governor’s trust,” he said.

Eze-Onyedikachi added that, "Governor Alex Otti has personally expressed his frustration, acknowledging that while some political figures are open in their opposition, others who pretend to support him while secretly working against him are far more dangerous."

"The governor's remarks highlight his understanding of the poisonous political dynamics within his administration, and I urge him to him to address these issues before they damage his political standing."