2027: Otti Says Tinubu Has Right to Seek Re-Election, Rejects Claims of South-East Governors’ Consensus

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed suggestions that all South-East governors have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, saying every political leader is entitled to personal views while Nigerians alone will decide the outcome of the 2027 election.

The Labour Party governor made the clarification after Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma claimed the five South-East governors had agreed to support Tinubu’s re-election because of ongoing Federal Government projects in the region, including road construction and the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Responding to the claim, Otti said there was no collective position binding all governors.

“I am not sure I heard that, but if Governor Hope Uzodimma said so, it is his right as a governor and as an individual. I’m sure that at the appropriate time, people will take their decision. He cannot speak for everybody. I think it is still early in the day to discuss that,” he said.

While distancing himself from claims of a regional consensus, Otti made it clear that he has no objection to President Tinubu exercising his constitutional right to contest again.

“Am I against the President running for a second term? Absolutely no. He has a right to run for a second term, and others who also want to run have a right to run,” the governor said.

He maintained that democracy allows every qualified candidate to seek office, adding that the electorate will ultimately decide.

“At the end of the day, it is the ballot box that will determine what happens,” Otti stated.

The governor also defended the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a long-held position.

“Subsidising consumption is not the way to go,” he said, arguing that the policy fuels corruption and is not sustainable.

Reviewing his administration’s performance, Otti said Abia had become Nigeria’s third-best performing state in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index.

He disclosed that the state currently leads the country in maternal and infant healthcare outcomes, has expanded health insurance enrolment, introduced 20 additional electric buses for mass transit, and made significant progress in land administration, education, housing, transport infrastructure and urban renewal.

The governor also announced continued investment in flood control projects, the Pocket Layout Housing Project in Umuahia, the expansion of Smart Schools, and support for the Akwete Cloth Production Hub following funding pledged by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

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