The Abia State chapter of the Obidient Movement has dismissed reports suggesting it threatened to withdraw its support for Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 elections over his alleged refusal to align with the African Democratic Congress.

The clarification follows media reports claiming that the movement was pressuring Otti to join the ADC alongside the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. However, leaders of the Obidient Movement say such reports misrepresented the purpose and content of a press conference held earlier in the week.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and cited by Naija News, the movement described the reports as misleading and urged the public to disregard what it called distorted interpretations of its position.

Movement Says No Ultimatum Issued

The statement was jointly signed by Ebere Obiesie, a member of the National and South East Advisory Council, Abia State Secretary Elder Bethel Nwokoma, and the movement’s spokesperson, Chibuzor Obiesili.

According to the group, at no point did it issue an ultimatum to Governor Otti or threaten to withdraw political support if he failed to defect to the ADC.

The leadership explained that the press conference in question was convened to address what it described as coordinated political attacks against the governor by former office holders, not to question his party affiliation or future political choices.

“We wish to categorically state that any purported call on Governor Alex Otti to defect to the ADC, as well as claims of an ultimatum or threat to withdraw support, do not represent the position of the Obidient Movement Abia State chapter,” the statement said.

The group described the reports as false, baseless, and a gross misrepresentation of its collective stance.

Background to the Political Speculation

The controversy emerged amid renewed political realignments following Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential run on the platform of the Labour Party. Since then, Obi’s political future and the possible migration of his supporters to other platforms have remained a subject of intense speculation.

The ADC has recently been mentioned in political circles as a possible destination for reform minded politicians seeking a broader coalition ahead of 2027. This context has fuelled assumptions about pressure on elected officials associated with the Obidient Movement to align with any future decision by Obi.

However, political analysts note that the Obidient Movement operates as a support base rather than a conventional political party structure, which gives it a more fluid and decentralised identity.

According to political analyst Uche Nwankwo, that distinction often leads to misinterpretation.

“The Obidient Movement is not a party issuing directives,” Nwankwo said. “It is a civic driven political force. People sometimes project internal discipline onto it that simply does not exist in the traditional sense.”

Support for Otti Reaffirmed

In its statement, the Obidient Movement reaffirmed its support for Governor Otti, citing what it described as people oriented policies and development efforts in Abia State.

The group commended the governor for initiatives aimed at rebuilding and repositioning the state, although it did not list specific projects. It stressed that its continued backing was based on governance performance rather than partisan calculations.

“The Obidient Movement Abia State chapter acknowledges the people oriented efforts of the Governor and his administration in rebuilding and repositioning Abia State,” the statement said.

This endorsement is significant given the role the Obidient Movement played in mobilising support during the 2023 elections, particularly among young voters and first time participants in the political process.

Condemnation of Former Governors

A central focus of the disputed press conference, according to the movement, was its criticism of what it described as a gang up by three former Abia State governors and their political associates.

The group accused the unnamed former leaders and their supporters of attempting to discredit the current administration through what it called calculated and self serving actions.

While the statement did not identify the former governors, it alleged that their actions were aimed at undermining ongoing reforms in the state.

The movement said it viewed such efforts as regressive and harmful to collective progress in Abia.

“We unequivocally condemn and distance ourselves from the apparent gang up by three former governors and their cronies, whose calculated actions are aimed at discrediting the administration of Governor Alex Otti,” the statement said.

Why the Clarification Matters Now

The denial comes at a time when political narratives ahead of the 2027 elections are beginning to take shape, with alliances, defections, and loyalty tests increasingly dominating public discourse.

Observers say unchecked reports of internal rifts could weaken reform oriented movements by creating perceptions of instability or divided leadership.

According to governance expert Ifunanya Okorie, clarity is critical at this stage.

“When support groups are seen as threatening elected officials, it creates unnecessary tension and distracts from policy evaluation,” Okorie said. “This kind of clarification helps refocus attention on governance outcomes rather than speculative politics.”

As conversations around party platforms and coalitions continue, attention will likely remain on how figures associated with the Obidient Movement navigate their political identities ahead of 2027.

For Governor Otti, the immediate task is sustaining governance momentum while managing political pressures that may intensify as election timelines draw closer.

For the Obidient Movement, maintaining message discipline across state chapters may prove increasingly important as national political debates evolve.

The Abia State chapter of the Obidient Movement has firmly rejected claims that it threatened to withdraw support for Governor Alex Otti over ADC related speculation. By reaffirming its backing of the governor and clarifying the intent of its recent press conference, the group has sought to dispel confusion and reassert its focus on governance and accountability. As political manoeuvring ahead of 2027 gathers pace, such clarifications may become increasingly necessary to separate fact from conjecture.