Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has issued a directive to all political parties in the state, requiring them to pay approved fees for access to public venues, including stadiums, for their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election. This move aims to ensure a level playing field for all parties and promote a smooth electioneering process. The governor gave the directives during the monthly State Security Council meeting, where security situations across Abia State were reviewed.
Governor Otti also charged security agencies in the state to promptly grant requests from political parties seeking to hold campaigns and ensure a level playing field for all. The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (rtd.), briefed journalists after the security council meeting and conveyed the governor’s position. They assured political parties that security agencies are ready to ensure hitch-free campaigns and elections in 2027 in the state.
According to CP Afolabi, Governor Otti’s directive has made the work of security agencies easier, as he explicitly directed that any political party that applied for approval to hold campaigns should be granted express approval. Afolabi stated that the governor’s stance would create a level playing field for all parties and make their work less cumbersome. He also disclosed that security agencies were fully prepared to ensure rancour-free campaigns and elections, following a three-day Regional Police Retreat recently held in Imo State.
The Regional Police Retreat, chaired by the Inspector-General of Police and attended by some governors, senior police officers, and other stakeholders, was held to prepare security agencies for the upcoming elections. With the support of the Abia State Government, security agencies are now fully prepared to ensure a violence-free electioneering period. This preparation is in line with Governor Otti’s directive to promote a smooth and peaceful election process.
Corroborating CP Afolabi, the Special Adviser on Security, Commander Ubah, said Governor Otti’s directive was anchored on politics without bitterness. He stated that the governor had made the job simple by giving his go-ahead for all political parties that want to campaign to do so without hindrance, as long as they pay the approved fees for the use of stadiums or any public facilities.
Commander Ubah warned that anyone who attempted to breach public peace would face the law, emphasizing that with a level playing field across party lines, mischief-makers would not have any excuse. The Special Adviser on Security expressed confidence that the governor’s directive would promote a peaceful and fair election process in Abia State.
The governor’s directive has been welcomed by political parties in the state, as it provides a clear guideline for their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election. With the assurance of security agencies, political parties can now focus on their campaigns, knowing that they will have access to public venues and security for their events.
Key points
- Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, directs political parties to pay approved fees for access to public venues and security for campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.
- Governor Otti charges security agencies to promptly grant requests from political parties seeking to hold campaigns and ensure a level playing field for all.
- Security agencies are fully prepared to ensure rancour-free campaigns and elections in Abia State, following a Regional Police Retreat and the governor’s directive.
