Otti Charges Security Agencies to Ensure Level Playing Field for Parties in Abia

Abia Gov. Alex Otti has directed security agencies in the state to ensure a level playing field for all political parties to conduct lawful political activities and campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Otti gave the directive during the monthly Abia State Security Council meeting, where security challenges and measures to sustain peace and security in the state were reviewed.

The governor, who was himself a victim of an assassination attempt during his political journey, said all political parties should be allowed to carry out their lawful activities without hindrance.

Briefing journalists after the meeting in Abia, the Commissioner of Police, Abia Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, said Otti had directed security agencies to approve campaign activities by political parties that met the necessary requirements.

According to Afolabi, the governor had made it clear that security agencies should create a level playing field for all political parties and grant express approval to parties that apply to hold campaigns.

He said the police and other security agencies were prepared for peaceful political campaigns and elections in 2027, following a three-day regional police retreat recently held in Imo and chaired by the Inspector-General of Police.

Afolabi said the retreat, attended by governors, senior police officers and other stakeholders, further strengthened preparations for peaceful electioneering, with the support of the Abia Government.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (rtd.), said Otti had directed that political parties should not be impeded from holding campaigns, provided they paid approved fees for the use of stadiums and other public facilities.

Ubah described the governor as a just leader who had made the task of security agencies easier by insisting on “politics without bitterness” and equal treatment of political parties.

He, however, warned that anyone who attempted to disrupt public peace or cause violence would face the full weight of the law.

“The law has a long arm,” Ubah said, stressing that the state would not allow anyone to intentionally breach the law or cause mayhem.