Otti explains why he supports Tinubu despite his affiliation with the Labor Party

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has explained his position on President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying his support for the President is linked to his responsibilities as governor and member of the National Economic Council.

Otti was speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Friday while answering questions about whether his position represented an understanding between him, a Labor governor, and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The governor said he could not openly oppose Tinubu while simultaneously participating in the government’s decision-making process, arguing that such a position could create what he described as “an explosion.”

“It went as you said. This is a statement of fact. I am not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.

However, he distinguished between his support for Tinubu in his official capacity and the question of who he considers Labor’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

When asked if he supported Tinubu’s re-election, Otti referred to his previous statement that he had a presidential candidate.

The interviewer then stated that Tinubu was the candidate in question, but Otti disagreed.

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

Asked whether he meant the presidential candidate was from the Labor Party, Otti answered, “Yes.”

When asked again if he supported Tinubu, the governor replied, “What do you expect from me? To say I don’t support him?”

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Otti said Tinubu has the right to contest the 2027 elections, stressing that his position as governor and member of the NEC means he participates in discussions and decision-making on federal policy.

“I also said that as governor of this republic, many things happen, in fact I am also part of everything that is done as a member of the National Economic Council, so we have to differentiate between those things.

“When someone now says, ‘Oh, you either support it or you don’t,’ I have to support it,” he said.

The Abia Governor further explained that his preferred approach when he disagrees with government policies is to raise his concerns in official meetings rather than campaign openly against the President.

“And sometimes people don’t understand the opposition. When you say opposition, and you’re part of the government, then what you’re aiming for is an explosion.

“So if I have a problem with anything, I will sit in one of our meetings and I will make my point. So I will not oppose his candidacy,” he added.

Otti also identified areas of Tinubu’s economic program that he said were consistent with his views.

He specifically mentioned the elimination of fuel subsidies, which he said was unsustainable.

“Honestly, there are a lot of things that we’ve talked about now, that he’s implemented, that resonate with me and my thoughts.

“The public doesn’t have to agree with me, but from my point of view, I know that fuel subsidies for example are not sustainable,” said Otti.

Otti’s comments come as political parties and their presidential candidates prepare for the 2027 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission has published the final list of presidential candidates, with Tinubu representing the APC and Atiku Abubakar representing the African Democratic Congress.