Abia State Governor Alex Otti has clarified that he is not opposed to President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term in 2027, stressing that the Constitution guarantees every qualified Nigerian the right to contest and that only the electorate can determine the outcome of the election.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has addressed growing political speculation over his stance on President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, saying he has no objection to the President exercising his constitutional right to seek re-election.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, Otti explained that while every eligible Nigerian has the right to contest elections, it is ultimately the people—not politicians or governors—who will decide who occupies the Presidency in 2027.
‘The Decision Belongs to Nigerians’
Otti stressed that no individual or political officeholder has the authority to determine the outcome of the next presidential election.
According to him, the Nigerian electorate alone will decide whether President Tinubu secures another term in office.
He added that respecting constitutional rights does not amount to endorsing any candidate.
Clarifies Earlier Remarks
The governor’s latest comments come days after he rejected claims by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma that all South-East governors had agreed to support Tinubu’s re-election.
Otti maintained that Uzodimma was entitled to his personal political opinion but could not speak on behalf of every governor in the region.
Constitutional Right to Contest
Otti noted that President Tinubu, like every eligible Nigerian, has the constitutional right to seek another term if he chooses.
He, however, insisted that such a decision does not guarantee electoral victory, as the final verdict rests with voters at the ballot box.