Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, visited former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
Okorocha hosted the Abia governor and members of his delegation to a dinner at his home during the visit.
According to a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, the meeting showed the long-standing relationship between both political leaders, which started before they became active in politics.
Members of the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives accompanied Otti to the dinner. They included Ginger Onwusibe, Mascot Ikwechegh, Munachim Alozie, and Obi Aguocha.
Some members of the Abia State Executive Council and other top government officials also joined the governor during the visit.
Okorocha received the governor alongside members of his family, including his wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, and his daughter, Uju Okorocha, who also took part in hosting the dinner reception.
The meeting comes as both men prepare for a political showdown next year. Alex Otti is gunning for reelection under the Labour Party,,, while Rochas Okorocha will slug it out with Imo state’s Governor Hope Uzodimma for the Imo West Senatorial seat.
Okorocha, a former governor of Imo state, took a long hiatus from active politics and will be making a comeback with his run against Uzodimma. The Orlu Local Government Area is one of the biggest in Nigeria and will provide a real test to Rochas and Uzodimma this year.
If Uzodimma wins the seat, he will step down from his governorship position prematurely and hand over to his deputy governor, who will complete his tenure.
Otti, on the other hand, is facing the might of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in his state. The APC machinery, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, will leverage federal might, posing a real threat to Otti’s reelection.
Otti, despite the challenge of the APC, is still the favourite to win the election, given his strong organic support and growing National appeal.
