Abia State Governor Alex Otti has cautioned politicians against attempting to manipulate the 2027 governorship election, stressing that the final outcome will be decided by God and the people of the state.

Speaking on Thursday during the October edition of Alex Otti Speaks to Abians at the Government House, Umuahia, the governor emphasized that while he welcomes anyone who wishes to contest, those planning to rig the election should be prepared to face the consequences.

“I have heard that some people around him say they must take over this state, they must write results, but the only advice I have for them is that if they truly want to write results, they should write something else before that time. You know what it is? Their will,” Otti said.

The governor’s comments were in response to statements reportedly made by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who said the All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to take over Abia in 2027.

Otti’s warning comes amid early political jockeying ahead of the next governorship election. His victory in 2023 under the Labour Party ended over two decades of Peoples Democratic Party dominance in the state.