Abia State Governor Alex Otti has explained his position on President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying openly opposing the President while serving as a governor and member of the National Economic Council could create an “implosion” within government.
Otti spoke in an interview with ARISE News while responding to questions about his position on Tinubu and his continued membership of the Labour Party.
The governor said his responsibilities as a member of the National Economic Council require him to work with the Federal Government on issues affecting Abia and other states.
“I’m not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.
He, however, distinguished between supporting Tinubu in his capacity as President and choosing a presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Otti said he had previously made it clear that he had a preferred presidential candidate for the election and confirmed that the candidate was from the Labour Party.
When asked directly whether he supported Tinubu, the governor replied: “What do you expect me to say? To say I’m not supporting him?”
Otti explains his position
According to Otti, his role as governor means he is involved in some Federal Government decisions through the National Economic Council.
“I had also said that as a governor in this republic, that a lot of the things that are being, in fact, I’m part of all the things that have been done as a member of National Economic Council. So, we should distinguish that,” he said.
He said disagreements with government policies should be raised during official meetings rather than through public opposition.
“And sometimes people don’t understand opposition. When you say opposition, and you are part of a government, then what you are driving towards is implosion,” Otti said.
“So if I do have a problem with anything, I’ll sit down in one of our meetings and I’ll make my point. So I’m not going to oppose his candidacy,” he added.
Otti also stressed that Tinubu has the right to contest the 2027 election, while maintaining that his political choice for the election is separate from his working relationship with the President.
He said his support for Tinubu in his role as President should not automatically be interpreted as his endorsement of Tinubu as his presidential candidate for 2027.
Otti backs some Tinubu policies
The Abia governor also said some policies implemented by the Tinubu administration align with his own views.
He specifically cited the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing the subsidy as unsustainable from his perspective.
“Quite frankly, there are a lot of things that we have talked about now, that he has implemented, that resonate with me and my thinking,” Otti said.
“People don’t have to agree with me, but from where I sit, I know that for instance, the fuel subsidy was even unsustainable,” he added.
Otti’s comments come amid political discussions within the Labour Party and wider opposition camp ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Source: ARISE News
