By Ade Oyeyemi
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he will leave active politics at the end of his tenure, ruling out any future bid for the presidency or other elective positions.
Otti made this known during an interview with Arise Television on Friday while responding to questions about former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s political activities and whether he could eventually seek the presidency himself.
The Abia governor said he had no political dispute with Obi and would not prevent him from campaigning in the state if he chose to do so.
“Oh, absolutely. Anybody that wants to campaign in my state will be allowed. Peter Obi and I are not fighting. Just like there’s nobody I’m fighting,” Otti said.
He added that the same principle would apply to other politicians, regardless of their political affiliations.
“So if he wants to campaign in the state, he will be allowed to campaign. If any other person, even Atiku, if he wants to campaign, he will be allowed to campaign. So that is what democracy is about,” he stated.
Asked whether he would consider contesting for President if an opportunity arose after his tenure, Otti said he had no such plans.
The governor disclosed that he intended to retire from politics after completing his tenure in Abia, stressing that he would not seek another elective position.
“I had said just a few days ago that by the time I’m done with this, I’ll retire. So I’m not going to run for any other thing, not local government chairman, not Senate, not president, no,” he said.
Otti explained that his decision was driven by his view that his political career had a specific purpose, which he was currently pursuing as governor.
“I think I came to deliver a calling, and that is what I’m doing now. Once I finish it, I’ll retire. And I’m not getting any younger anymore,” he added.
The governor’s comments come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several politicians and political groups already positioning themselves for the next electoral cycle.
Otti, who was elected governor of Abia on the Labour Party platform in 2023, has continued to attract attention over his political relationship with figures within and outside the party.
