Claim:
A Facebook post by Igbo Times Magazine on October 17, 2025, claimed that Governor Alex Otti of Abia State had dumped the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The post read in part
“BREAKING NEWS: Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, Dumps Labour Party for APC — Says “APC Means Well for Nigeria and Ndi-Igbo”
In a surprising political move, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)…”
The claim quickly spread on Facebook, gaining several comments and shares, with some users celebrating the alleged defection and others questioning its authenticity.
Verification
To verify this claim, we conducted a detailed review using multiple open-source verification tools, credible media archives, and official channels.
Search for Credible Media Reports
We began by searching reputable Nigerian news outlets, including Punch Newspapers, The Guardian, Channels Television, Premium Times, and TheCable; None of these platforms, nor any other verified mainstream outlet, reported that Alex Otti had defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Given Otti’s status as a sitting governor, any such move would have made front-page headlines across the country.
Review of Official Party Statements
Next, we reviewed the official communication channels of both political parties:
- The Labour Party (LP), through its verified X handle (@NgLabour), made no mention of any defection.
- The All Progressives Congress (APC), via its official website and verified social media accounts, also made no announcement welcoming Governor Otti into the party.
Political defections in Nigeria are typically followed by public receptions, statements, and photographs with key party leaders, none of which existed in this case.
Check On Official Profiles
A visit to Governor Alex Otti’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @alexottiofr, showed no announcement or post suggesting he had joined the APC.
Instead, his posts continue to highlight Labour Party governance initiatives and policy updates in Abia State.
Cross-Check Public Records and Wikipedia
A check of Alex Otti’s Wikipedia page still lists him as a Labour Party member.
While Wikipedia can be edited by the public, it typically reflects major verified political updates within hours; its unchanged status supports that no defection had taken place.
Source Page Analysis
A review of the Facebook page Igbo Times Magazine shows a pattern of sharing unverified and politically biased content.
The page lacks verification, provides no physical address, and frequently posts unsubstantiated claims involving top political figures.
Some fake news posts from the Facebook account
This raises a strong suspicion that the page is a misinformation outlet designed to generate engagement through false or sensational claims.
Official statement of Gov. Otti, denying his defection to APC
On October 21, 2025, Punch published an article titled “Otti denies defecting to APC, affirms loyalty to LP” stating that Governor Otti, via the state’s Commissioner for Information, denied any defection and reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party. Punch Newspaper
Also, on the same day, PM News published “Gov. Otti speaks on joining APC”, likewise reporting that the governor dismissed the rumours of joining the APC and reiterated his loyalty to the Labour Party.
Context
Governor Alex Otti was elected on the platform of the Labour Party in the March 2023 general elections and was sworn in on May 29, 2023.
Since then, he has publicly identified with Labour Party’s reform agenda and continues to align politically with Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, false claims about political defections have become increasingly common — often intended to create confusion, manipulate public opinion, or stir partisan sentiment.
Verdict:
The claim that Governor Alex Otti has defected from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is FALSE.
Our findings reveal that:
- No credible media outlet reported such defection.
- Neither the APC nor the Labour Party issued any official statement confirming it.
- Governor Otti himself did not make any announcement to that effect.
- The source (Igbo Times Magazine) has a record of spreading misinformation.
This claim is therefore false and misleading, likely intended to deceive the public and cause political confusion.
Conclusion
As of October 2025, Governor Alex Otti remains a member of the Labour Party (LP) and continues to serve as Governor of Abia State under that platform.
Citizens are encouraged to always verify political information through credible news outlets, official party statements, and verified social media accounts before sharing.
