“Write your will first” — Gov. Alex Otti’s stern warning to those planning on vote-rigging the 2027 election in Abia
Abia State Governor Alex Otti warns anyone planning to rig the 2027 governorship election to “write their will” before attempting to falsify results.
“Write your will first” — Gov. Alex Otti’s stern warning to those planning on vote-rigging the 2027 election in Abia
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has delivered a stern warning to anyone planning to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 governorship election in the state, telling would-be riggers to “write their will” before attempting to “write” results. The blunt message was delivered during the governor’s monthly media chat at the Government House in Umuahia on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
The Remark
Otti said he had heard rumours that some political actors were already making arrangements to falsify returns should they fail at the ballot box. He warned those actors to abandon the plan, stressing that the people’s mandate must be allowed to prevail. The governor’s comments were widely reported by national outlets and were framed as both a deterrent to electoral malpractice and a political signal to rivals preparing to contest the state in 2027.
“If they truly want to write result, they should write something else before that time – you know what it is? Their will. Because this is our state, nobody can intimidate us,” Otti declared.
This fiery remark underscores a growing resolve among progressive leaders to safeguard democratic processes against the prevalence of electoral fraud, a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s body politic.
The governor’s comments, delivered on October 16, 2025, at the Government House in Umuahia, were not made in isolation. They come amid escalating political tensions in Abia, particularly following provocative statements from the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart representing Bende Federal Constituency. Kalu had recently boasted to supporters that the APC would wrest control of Abia from Otti’s LP administration by 2027, even going as far as to question the funding sources for the governor’s ongoing infrastructure projects and implying reliance on federal patronage under President Bola Tinubu. In response, Otti, who described Kalu as a “friend and younger brother,” forgave past criticisms but firmly stated that political ambition must not undermine the state’s peace or violate electoral guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Why this Matters ?
The warning matters for two reasons. First, Nigeria’s democracy has struggled with credible polls in some states; vocal commitments from incumbents and security stakeholders to protect the process can help strengthen public confidence if followed by transparent action.
Second, aggressive statements can escalate tensions if they are seen as threats rather than safeguards which is why neutral institutions (media, electoral commission, security agencies, civil society) will be watched closely in the run-up to 2027.
Reactions and Follow up
Local and national media immediately amplified Otti’s warning. Several titles carried the story and at least one civil group reportedly petitioned security agencies concerning perceived threats and inflammatory remarks in the state, indicating that the governor’s words also prompted calls for official monitoring to avoid escalation.
Analysts say Otti’s statement is both political theater and a genuine attempt to set a hard red line against malpractice. How institutions like INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies respond operationally and publicly will determine whether the rhetoric cools down or contributes to a more fraught environment.
Conclusion
As Abia continues its transformation from rehabilitating markets in Aba to boosting healthcare access, the governor’s focus on electoral integrity signals that good governance must be defended at all costs.
In essence, Governor Otti’s message is a testament to the evolving face of Nigerian democracy, where leaders no longer whisper threats but proclaim them openly to protect the ballot. Whether this deters would-be riggers or escalates partisan feuds remains to be seen. But one thing is clear – Abia, under Otti’s watch, is prepared to fight for its future, one transparent vote at a time. As the 2027 race heats up, all eyes will be on this southeastern gem to see if the people’s will truly prevails.
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