Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has dismissed claims by the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, that all South-East governors have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking during his monthly media chat, Governor Otti said Governor Uzodimma lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of all governors in the region, stressing that he could only express his personal political views.
Otti maintained that no individual or group could determine the voting decision of the South-East, noting that the choice of Nigeria’s next president rests solely with the electorate.
The Abia governor also reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, stating that the party would present its own presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, whom he intends to support.
He, however, clarified that his cordial working relationship with President Bola Tinubu and his support for some Federal Government policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the President’s re-election bid.
Governor Otti explained that collaborating with the Federal Government on policies that promote development is part of his constitutional responsibility as governor and should be distinguished from partisan political alignment.
His remarks come in response to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s earlier claim that the five South-East governors had collectively resolved to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.
