Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has expressed his excitement over the defection of two members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the Abia House of Assembly to the Labour Party (LP). The two lawmakers, Mr. Iheanacho Nwogu and Mr. Fine Ahuama, representing Osisioma North and South State Constituencies respectively, were received by the Governor at the Government House, Umuahia on Tuesday.

Governor Otti welcomed the defectors, saying that the Labour Party would provide a level playing field for all its members. He urged them to work towards bringing their constituents into the party, congratulating them for taking the “bold step” to join LP. The Governor noted that the two lawmakers had always supported his administration from its inception, despite their political affiliation.

Otti reiterated his commitment to transparency, service, and merit, saying that his administration had nothing to hide. He emphasized that the essence of governance is stewardship and that he was happy to see his people happy.

Earlier, the Majority Leader of the house, Mr. Uchenna Kalu, presented the two defectors to the governor, explaining that they had announced their defection during the house plenary session. In their separate speeches, Nwogu and Ahuama attributed their decision to dump their former party to the achievements of the Otti-led administration, saying that belonging to the same party with the governor would enable them to support his administration and deepen democracy at the grassroots for the benefit of their constituents.