A cleric from Abia State, Rev. Chika Ubani, has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency to avoid entering into any political alliance with Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interaction with journalists at the AllYouthAlive Retreat, Ubani urged the ruling party to concentrate on securing electoral victory in Abia State independently, arguing that any form of political understanding with the incumbent governor would be counterproductive.

He maintained that the APC has the organisational structure and political capacity required to win the state, dismissing the need for what he described as “backdoor agreements”.

According to Ubani, the party should remain deliberate in its strategy to take control of Abia, rather than ceding ground to opposition forces.

“The APC must be intentional about winning Abia. There is no need for any arrangement with the governor. The party has credible candidates who can contest effectively,” he said.

His comments come amid early political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and stakeholders beginning to signal potential alignments and strategies.

Ubani also cautioned against replicating political arrangements reportedly observed between the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in neighbouring Anambra State, led by Governor Charles Soludo.

He argued that Abia’s political landscape differs significantly, both in terms of party dynamics and personalities.

“Abia is not Anambra. The political realities are different, and any attempt to apply the same template may not produce the desired outcome,” he said.

The cleric further alleged that the political coalition that supported Otti’s emergence in 2023 has weakened, claiming that some former supporters have since moved to other platforms, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He suggested that such developments could reshape the political contest in the state ahead of the next election cycle, although these claims remain subject to independent verification.

Ubani urged the APC leadership to resist what he described as pressure to form alliances, insisting that Abia should not be considered for any political concessions.

“If there is any consideration for opposition control in certain states, Abia should not be among them. It is a state the APC can contest and win,” he said.

He also disclosed that he had supported Otti during the 2023 elections but had since reassessed his position, citing concerns over political trust.

Ubani’s warning to the APC comes on the same day the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers formally endorsed Otti for re-election, arguing that his first-term performance merits continuity and giving him the opportunity to serve a full eight-year tenure like his predecessors.

The announcement was made by Eze Linus Nto Mbah, leader of the council, following a closed-door meeting with the Abia governor at his Nwosi Office in Isiala Ngwa South Council. Eze Mbah stated that the endorsement was unanimous and reflects the council’s confidence in Otti’s leadership and achievements across various sectors during his first term.