Otti: Uzodimma Cannot Speak for All South-East Governors on Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has rejected claims that all South-East governors have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, saying Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma does not speak for every governor in the region.

Speaking during his monthly media chat on Thursday, Otti said Uzodimma was entitled to his personal opinion but could not make decisions on behalf of all South-East governors.

“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. I am sure that at the appropriate time, people will take their decision,” Otti said.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, noting that the party would present its own presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 general election.

“My party is Labour Party, and Labour Party has its own presidential and vice-presidential candidate. To the extent that we have candidates, we support them,” he said.

Otti, however, said he had no objection to President Tinubu seeking a second term, stressing that the Nigerian Constitution gives every qualified citizen the right to contest for public office.

“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,” he added.

He maintained that the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would be determined by Nigerians through the ballot.

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

The Abia governor also reiterated his support for the Federal Government’s removal of petrol subsidy, describing fuel subsidy as a policy that encourages corruption.

He said he had consistently opposed subsidising fuel consumption long before assuming office, insisting that “subsidising consumption is not the way to go.”

Uzodimma, who chairs the South-East Governors Forum, recently said the five governors in the region had resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing ongoing federal projects, including road construction, rail development and the South East Development Commission.

The South-East governors belong to different political parties. Uzodimma and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru are members of the All Progressives Congress, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is of the Peoples Democratic Party, Otti belongs to the Labour Party, while Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo is a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.