Otti rejects Uzodimma’s claim that South-East governors have endorsed Tinubu for 2027

ABIA State Governor, Mr Alex Otti, has dismissed claims that the 5 governors of the South-East have reached a consensus to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, saying that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma cannot speak on behalf of the entire region.

Otti made the remarks on Thursday during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, stressing that every governor is entitled to a personal political position but not to make collective pronouncements without the consent of others.

His response followed comments by Uzodimma on Wednesday at a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri. The Imo governor had argued that Tinubu’s administration had shown ‘unprecedented commitment’ to the development of the South-East through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Uzodimma further said the region’s five governors had considered their options and agreed to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, insisting the South-East wanted to be part of ‘Project Nigeria.’

Reacting to the statement, Otti said he had not personally heard the comments but maintained that, if made, Uzodimma was only entitled to speak for himself.

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“You said the governor of Imo State said something about re-electing the president. I am not sure I have heard that. But if he said that, it is his right to say it as a governor and as an individual. But he can’t speak for everybody,” Otti said.

He added that discussions about the next presidential election were premature, noting that Nigerians would ultimately determine the outcome through the ballot.

“I’m sure that at the appropriate time, people would take their decision. I think it’s still early days,” he said.

On Tinubu’s possible re-election, Otti said he had no objection to the president seeking another term, pointing out that the constitution equally gives other interested candidates the right to contest.

“Am I against the president running for a second term? Absolutely no. It’s the masses of the people that would determine,” he said.

“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, it’s the ballot box, you and I, that will determine what happens.”

The Labour Party governor also reiterated his support for some of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy, noting that he had consistently backed the policy even before assuming office.

He added that while the Labour Party would field and support its own presidential candidate in the next election, it would respect the constitutional rights of other parties and candidates.

“My party is Labour Party and it has its own presidential and vice presidential candidate. To the extent that we have candidates, we will support them. But that doesn’t mean we would go and pick quarrel with everybody,” he said.

Otti has on several occasions praised aspects of Tinubu’s economic reforms, recently describing the administration’s policy decisions as ‘courageous.’

Three South-East governors – Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Peter Mbah of Enugu – are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Otti is the region’s only Labour Party governor, while Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who recently secured a second term, governs on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).