Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he will not oppose President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, stressing that his cooperation with the Federal Government should not be mistaken for partisan support.
Otti, a member of the Labour Party, said Tinubu had a constitutional right to contest the election.
However, he maintained that he currently had a presidential candidate whom he was expected to support.
The governor spoke in an interview with Arise TV, explaining that opposing Tinubu while working with his administration could create what he described as an “implosion”.
“I’m not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.
“And sometimes people don’t understand opposition. When you say you’re opposition and you are part of a government, then what you are driving towards is implosion.”
Otti said disagreements with the Federal Government would be raised during official meetings rather than through political confrontation.
“So, if I do have a problem with anything, I’ll sit down in one of our meetings and I’ll make my point,” he added.
The governor also drew a line between his official dealings with Tinubu as President and his political position ahead of the 2027 election.
He said some of Tinubu’s policies had also resonated with his own views, citing the removal of the petrol subsidy as an example.
“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.
He argued that the subsidy regime was unsustainable, adding that any decision to reintroduce it would require adequate funding.
Otti further cited his membership of the National Economic Council as another reason for his cooperation with the Tinubu administration.
The council comprises the President, Vice-President and state governors and considers major economic and fiscal issues affecting the country.
“I’m part of all the things that have been done as a member of the National Economic Council. We have to distinguish that,” Otti said.
“When somebody now says, ‘Oh, you are supporting or you are not, I have to support him. No, he can’t speak for me.’”
The governor’s comments came amid claims by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, that the five governors in the South-East had resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election.
Otti has previously rejected any suggestion that Uzodimma could speak for him.
He again made his position clear during the interview.
“Of course, I had said he has the right to run. And nobody can stop him from running,” Otti said.
“But at the moment, I have a presidential candidate and it’s expected that I will support my presidential candidate.”
Otti said Nigerians would ultimately decide who they wanted to support in the 2027 presidential election.
He stressed that his working relationship with the Federal Government should therefore not be interpreted as a commitment to Tinubu’s re-election.
The governor also maintained that Uzodimma could neither determine his political position nor speak on his behalf.