Gov. Alex Otti Clarifies Stance on Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid, Emphasizes Power of the Ballot
News • Politics • Abia State
Abia State, Nigeria – July 2026
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has addressed questions regarding the alleged resolution by Southeast governors to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. He stressed that no single governor can speak for the entire region and that democratic choices ultimately rest with the people.
The Governor made the remarks during a press interaction in response to a direct question linking him to comments reportedly made by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.
In the video, a journalist asked Otti whether he was part of the Southeast governors’ resolve to re-elect President Tinubu. Governor Otti responded:
“Well, I’m not sure I’ve heard that, but if he said that, it isn’t right to say it as a governor and as an individual… he can’t speak for everybody. I’m sure that at the appropriate time, people will take their decision.”
Otti clarified his position on national leadership. While distancing himself from any blanket endorsement on behalf of the Southeast, he acknowledged supporting key policies of the Tinubu administration — policies he had publicly advocated for years before becoming governor.
“There are a lot of policies that I have supported, even I started supporting before becoming governor. If you go and look at my write-ups in the back page of ThisDay from 2016 all the way to 2022… my interventions on foreign exchange, my interventions on subsidy on petroleum, I’ve been consistent about them.”
He strongly criticized fuel subsidy regimes:
“I agree completely that subsidizing consumption isn’t the way to go. Because once you subsidize consumption, then corruption will come in.”
On Tinubu Contesting in 2027:
The Abia governor made it clear he has no objection to the President seeking a second term:
“Am I against the president running for a second term? Absolutely no. It’s the masses of the people that will determine. He has the right to run for a second term, and others who also want to run have a right to run. At the end of the day, in the ballot box, you and I — that will determine what happens.”
Governor Otti emphasized democratic principles, noting that multiple aspirants (including those eyeing the Abia governorship) have the right to present themselves and their manifestos for the electorate to decide.
“Sometimes, the problem is that people don’t understand how democracy works… We can’t stop them. They present themselves, present their manifesto, and if the people believe that they are the best people, then they vote for them, and that is it.”
– Party Loyalty Acknowledged
Otti reiterated his affiliation with the Labour Party (LP), which has fielded its own presidential candidate. He noted that supporting one’s party’s candidates does not mean quarrelling with political opponents.
– AMN Takeaway
Governor Otti’s response shows a balanced approach — maintaining party independence while refusing premature political alignments. His emphasis on policy consistency and the power of the ballot box highlights commitment to democratic norms.
The full video of the press interaction is available for viewing.
Video Credit: AFNews
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