By Tony Icheku 


The political landscape in Abia State is fraught with growing tensions as the November 2, 2024, local government councils elections approaches. At the center of the storm is Governor Alex Otti, who stands  accused of undermining the democratic process as evidenced in his interference and manipulation of  a sham primary for the selection of  Labour Party (LP) candidates for the elections. This power play stirred controversy within the party, with its leadership fiercely demanding transparency and adherence to democratic principles, justice and fair play 


Allegations of Manipulation                   Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party rightly assuming control after its victory in the court and subsequent recognition by INEC raised the alarm over Gov Otti's alleged monopolization of the primaries.


 According to Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, the party is deeply concerned about how the election process is being handled under Otti’s leadership. The interference has sparked outrage, with Ifoh urging the governor to maintain the democratic standards that brought him to power. "It is essential that our party members are allowed to select candidates in a transparent manner, free from any form of manipulation," Ifoh said.


Local governments, historically seen as drivers of grassroots development, now face the risk of becoming pawns in Otti's despicable despotic ambition to be the Lord of Abia's Manor.


The LP insists that the upcoming elections should serve as a model of integrity, warning Otti to steer clear of tampering with the process. Yet, beneath the surface, Otti's ambition remains unyielding as he moves his selected cronies of chairmanship and councillorship candidates to the little known Zenith Labour Party, ZLP.


Cracks in the LP

The deeper fractures in Abia LP is not merely the  unfolding of intrigues for the LG elections. At the national level, the LP is grappling with internal discord, as Julius Abure’s faction accuses notable figures like Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, and Gov Otti of betrayal. The faction, enraged by INEC's earlier refusal to recognize Abure as the national chairman, interpreted the gesture to be  a consequence of the action of the party’s top leaders to go searching for a new leadership which the Nenadi-led Caretaker committee was charged to produce


Abure who did not take the inauguration of a caretaker committee lying low lamented through Ifoh thus: "These leaders, who benefited from the party's platform, are now silent when their support is most needed,"  Ifoh remarked, lamenting what he called the "betrayal" of the LP’s cause. The accusation extends beyond personal grievance —Abure’s faction believes that the LP’s fight for transparency and democracy is being actively undermined by those who should champion it.


 Controversial Primaries 

Perhaps the most glaring example of Gov Otti's  interference in the selection of candidates for the LG elections was the sudden imposition of Dr. Anthony Nwaubani as the LP chairmanship candidate for Ikwuano Local Government. This decision, which took party officials and aspirants by surprise, was met with dismay and outrage.


 Nwaubani, a respected financial expert with a solid  background in banking, was neither an  aspirant nor someone with deep grassroots connections. His rise, critics argue, was based solely on his loyalty to Otti, not his desire to contribute to development of governance at the grassroots 


The process that led to Nwaubani's emergence was shrouded in secrecy, lacking transparency and bypassing the democratic norms outlined in Nigeria’s Electoral Act, 2022.  Genuine aspirants were pushed aside, and no consensus was reached—a stark violation of the requirements for such selections. "This so-called consensus was nothing but an autocratic imposition," said one party leader. "The will of the people was silenced, and democracy was blatantly disregarded."


A Flawed Process and Growing Discontents 

The imposition of Nwaubani  attracted widespread criticism, not only from local party leaders but also from the broader LP structure. Many within the party argue that the selection process lacked fairness, transparency, and any semblance of democratic integrity. The sidelining of qualified aspirants in favor of fawning loyalists has led to a growing sense of disillusionment among LP membership.


The question now is whether Gov Otti's moves will prove politically expedient or ultimately damaging to his administration. The upcoming elections are seen as a critical test of his commitment to the principles of democracy, integrity, and public service. For now, however, the optics suggest a calculated attempt to entrench loyalty at the expense of genuine democratic participation.


In the end, the future of grassroots governance in Abia State hangs in the balance. Will the local government elections become a beacon of democratic practice, or will they serve as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked political power aggrandizement? Only time will tell, but the eyes of Abians—and indeed all Nigerians—are watching closely.


Otti's selected cronies having been muscled out of the  LP have reemerged in ZLP's colours confirms earlier reports that Otti was negotiating with the leadership of the ZLP to accommodate his preferred candidates rather than dialogue with the Abure leadership for a middle ground 


 Today, the LP whose bandwagon effects effectively voted Otti into power on 2023 is now  a splintering shadow of itself. The presence of Otti’s candidates under the ZLP  suggests that the faction is preparing for a scenario where  LP’s internal rift remains unresolved before the LG elections.


Having shown his dancing footsteps as a lip_ democrat only by lip service, Abians would be surprised if the outcome of the Nov 2 LG elections shows any semblance of due process, free, fair and transparent elections. Indeed, it would be the 8th wonder of the world if elections passes any test of integrity and transparency.