2027 polls: I cannot oppose Tinubu’s re-election – Gov Otti

Ozumi Abdul

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said open opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election as governor and member of the National Economic Council (NEC) could lead to an “implosion” within the government.

Otti said this in an interview with Arise Television on Friday, responding to questions about his support for Tinubu, despite being a member of the Labor Party (LP).

The governor said his position as a member of the NEC, involved in federal policy decisions, made it difficult for him to oppose Tinubu’s candidacy.

“It works as you said. It’s a fact. I’m not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.

However, he distinguished between his role in the NEC and the LP’s position on the 2027 presidential election.

Asked whether he supported Tinubu’s re-election, Otti recalled that he had previously said he had a presidential candidate within the party.

When the interviewer identified Tinubu as the candidate he was supporting, the governor disagreed.

“No, that’s not what I said,” he said.

Asked if he was referring to an LP’s presidential candidate, Otti replied: “Yes.”

The interviewer then pressed him that he was supporting Tinubu.

“What do you expect me to say? To say I don’t support it?” Otto replied.

The governor said his participation in the federal government’s decision-making process means he is also part of the policies and decisions that are implemented.

“I had also said that as governor of this republic, that many of the things that are done, in fact, I am part of all the things that have been done as a member of the National Economic Council. So we should distinguish that.

“When someone now says, ‘Oh, do you support him or not,’ I have to support him,” he said.

Otti said he prefers to raise any disagreements with government policies during official meetings rather than publicly oppose the President.

He argued that opposing Tinubu while remaining part of the government could create internal divisions and affect his operations.

“And sometimes people don’t understand the opposition. When you say opposition and you’re part of a government, then what you’re going towards is implosion.

“So, if I have any problem, I will sit in one of our meetings and take stock. So, I will not oppose his candidacy,” he added.

The Abia governor also said some of Tinubu’s policies are in line with his views, citing the removal of petrol subsidy as an example.

According to Otti the subsidy has become unsustainable, although he acknowledges that others may not agree with his position.

“Frankly, there are many things that we have talked about now, that he has implemented and that coincide with me and my thinking.

“People don’t have to agree with me, but from where I stand I know that, for example, the fuel subsidy was even unsustainable,” Otti said.