NEWS
“I HAVE COME TO WORK… WE ARE GOING TO COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS… WE WILL TRIPLE UMUNNEOCHI VOTES IN 2027” — DR. JASPER UCHE DEFECTS FROM PDP TO LABOUR PARTY, RALLIES SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR OTTI’S RE-ELECTION
…says “We Have Come To Make The Work Easier For You“
A major political shift has taken place in Abia State as the former Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP and founder of Ihe Abia Organisation, Dr Jasper Uche, formally defected to the Labour Party, declaring total support for the reelection of Governor Alex Otti in 2027.
Dr Uche made this known on Monday, April 20, 2026, when he led a delegation of his supporters to the Governor’s office, in what observers describe as a strategic realignment that could significantly reshape the political landscape of Umunneochi Local Government Area and beyond.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Uche emphasized that his decision to join the Labour Party was driven by Governor Otti’s visible, verifiable and people-centered achievements across the State, noting that his movement is committed to strengthening the Governor’s reelection bid.
“We are going to complement the efforts of my brothers that are working with you and others that are not here, to make sure that we don’t just double Umunneochi votes, We will triple Umunneochi votes in 2027
“I have come to work, I came to complement what they are doing. And to make sure, that because it is people that I’m going to work with, we are not going to work in silos.
“Your Excellency, we have come to make the work easier for you. So, that is why we are here,“ Dr. Uche declared.
Reinforcing the seriousness of his defection, Dr Uche explained that his visit was not symbolic, but a deliberate move backed by key grassroots stakeholders and loyal supporters from his political structure.
“Last time, I was here to formally inform you that I want to leave my former party and join you. And to work for your government in terms of helping you to come back and continue what you are doing in the State.
“Politics is not one man’s business. It’s a matter of let us go. I cannot just come and talk to you and say that Umunneochi is intact. I have to bring some key members of my supporters to come and share this news with me and get this assurance from Your Excellency.
“They are not jobless. They are not people that we picked from the streets. These are organic supporters from my Local Government,“ Dr. Uche disclosed.
He further highlighted that the Ihe Abia Organisation, which he founded, has remained active over the past five years, positioning itself as a structured political movement capable of mobilizing support at the grassroots.
Dr Uche also expressed admiration for Governor Otti’s leadership style and achievements, stating that he is proud of the Governor’s performance and convinced that continuity is necessary for sustained development in Abia State.
In his response, Governor Alex Otti welcomed Dr Uche and his supporters into the Labour Party, commending his decision and assuring him of full integration into the party structure.
“And I want to really thank you for everything. I’m also very encouraged that you had also spoken in the same light about the people you came with.
“One assurance I will give you is that, we will not give up. We will not be distracted.
“We have a mission, and until that mission is completed, we won’t stop. And that is why even in the first two elections that went the way it went, we still remained resilient.
“One thing that is important is that we must always recognize the place of God. If God has designed something, nobody can obliterate it. And if God has said something will not happen, nobody can make it happen. And we believe that this is the time that God wanted this change,“ Governor Otti said.
The Governor further directed the Commissioner for Lands to coordinate a formal reception for Dr Uche and his supporters in Umunneochi LGA, signaling the importance of the defection to the party’s grassroots expansion strategy.
“We are very open to receiving people. We are all Igbo people, and we are very hospitable too. We have this motto, even when you are not part of us, we don’t see you as an enemy.
“Now that Chaka Chukwumereije is here, I will hand over the rest of the functions to him. He has to arrange with our people to receive you properly in Umunneochi,“ he stated.
The meeting was attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Meribole; Chief of Staff Pst. Caleb Ajagba, PhD; Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije, alongside members of the Ihe Abia Organisation. Also present are the Speaker of the Abia State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa and members of the State Assembly; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma (Chomen) and host of others, marking the event as a politically significant moment in Abi
a’s evolving power dynamics ahead of 2027.