Otti’s Miscalculation: How His Own Lawmakers Defied Him and Left Him Exposed | #DavidoOffixialTv

Governor Alex Otti has always positioned himself as a strong political figure, expecting total obedience from those he views from the “under his influence” perspective. But recent events have exposed the limits of his control, as his own Labour Party members in the House of Representatives have openly defied him—leaving him scrambling to save face before Wike, Mr. President, and his party faithful.

The crisis stems from Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara’s ongoing feud with the Rivers house of assembly members, alleged to be loyal to Nyesom Wike. Otti, eager to project himself as a key political player, frequently visited Fubara, showcasing solidarity amid the crisis. However, behind these public displays, there was a deeper motive “political survival”.

Sources say Fubara, worried about a possible political ambush, reached out to Otti and Peter Obi, urging them to instruct their party’s lawmakers to block the validation of the state of emergency declared by Mr. President in Rivers State. Obi quickly acted, personally calling some lawmakers before officially instructing all Labour Party members to oppose the move. Otti followed suit, calling his Labour Party House of Representatives members from Abia to do the same.

However, Otti’s expectations were quickly shattered. Among the five Labour Party federal lawmakers from Abia, only Obi Aguocha obeyed his directive. The other four clearly unimpressed by the governor’s demands chose to follow a different path, completely ignoring his instructions. This blatant defiance sent a clear message: Otti does not command the influence he once believed he had.

Realizing he had lost this political battle, Otti has been scrambling for damage control. Reports suggest he is now trying to paint the disobedient lawmakers as disloyal, shifting blame while quietly working behind the scenes to build a relationship with Wike and the presidency—two forces he once stood against.

To make matters worse, a key Labour Party figure, known as Ginger, was conveniently absent from Abuja on the voting day. Instead of standing by Otti, he reportedly retreated to his village a day before. This move, seen by many as a deliberate betrayal, further weakened Otti’s position.

With his authority crumbling, Otti has now turned to threats. He has vowed to fight against the re-election of the lawmakers who defied him, making it clear that he will not support any politician who refuses to follow his instructions. But this raises an important question, what power does Otti really have over them? If they could ignore him now, why would they fear him when election time comes?

Otti’s miscalculation has left him stranded. His party lawmakers have shown that they are not afraid to act independently, and his attempt to position himself as a power broker in the Fubara-Wike crisis has backfired spectacularly.

For a governor who prides himself on control, this is perhaps his biggest political embarrassment yet. The question now is: can Otti recover from this misstep, or has he permanently lost the grip he once thought he had?