Abia Governor, Alex Otti, has issued a stern warning to individuals allegedly plotting to rig the 2027 governorship election in the state, telling them to “write their will” before attempting to subvert the people’s mandate.

Otti gave the warning on Thursday during his monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital.

According to the governor, intelligence reports suggest that some political figures are already meeting and strategizing to “take over the state” through unlawful means ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I’ve heard that some people around him said if they must take over the state, they will write result,” Otti said. “The only advice I have for them is that 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.”

Governor Otti also warned politicians against engaging in early campaigns, stressing that such actions violate electoral laws.

“We must respect the law. If INEC releases the timetable and says this is the time that campaign starts, if you start campaigning before then, you put yourself in harm’s way — you can even be disqualified before the election,” he said.

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The governor further stated that any political gathering or public declaration of intention before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces its timetable constitutes early campaigning.

“When you gather people and you’re telling them you’re going to take over the state in 2027, you’re campaigning. It is not right,” Otti cautioned.

Otti reaffirmed that the people of Abia State will have the final say in choosing their next governor through a free and fair process.

“If he wants to run an election, once INEC blows the whistle, he should go and pick up a form and begin to campaign. It’s for Abia people to decide who would be their governor,” he added.