Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has explained his position on President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, saying his support is connected to his role as a governor and member of the National Economic Council.
Otti made the clarification during an interview with Arise Television on Friday while responding to questions about whether his position reflected an understanding between him, the Labour Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The governor said he was not in a position to oppose Tinubu’s candidacy while serving within the government, arguing that doing so could create conflict within the administration.
Otti, however, distinguished between supporting the President’s administration and having a preferred presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2027 election.
When asked directly if Tinubu was the Labour Party candidate he had previously referred to, Otti rejected the suggestion and confirmed that he was referring to a Labour Party presidential candidate.
On whether he therefore supports Tinubu’s re-election, Otti said the President has the constitutional right to contest and that, as a governor and NEC member, he is involved in decisions concerning the Federal Government.
He explained that rather than publicly opposing the President, he prefers to raise concerns during government meetings whenever he disagrees with a policy or decision.
Otti also said some of Tinubu’s policies align with his own views, citing the removal of the fuel subsidy as an example.
According to him, he considers the former fuel subsidy regime unsustainable and said people were free to hold different views on the matter.
