Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he is not in a position to oppose the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor made the remark while responding to questions during his monthly media chat on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
I am not in a position to oppose President Tinubu’s candidacy. I have no basis to challenge his re-election, as I am not contesting for the presidency but seeking a second term as governor of Abia State.
Otti, a member of the Labour Party (LP), also dismissed reports of a crisis within the party in the state, stating that all disputes had been resolved by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
On the administration’s position regarding appointees seeking elective offices in the forthcoming general elections, the governor said those affected would step down at the appropriate time.
“At the appropriate time, in line with the rules, interested political appointees will vacate office accordingly.” he said.
Otti’s comments come amid concerns over defections by some governors and key political figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as claims of moves to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
No fewer than eight governors and several federal lawmakers defected to the APC within two and a half years.
With the recent defection of the Zamfara State governor, the number of APC governors has risen to 31.
However, a former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, dismissed the defections as a result of pressure rather than strength.
He urged Nigerians not to interpret the trend as a sign of popularity ahead of the 2027 polls.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his media office in February following the defection of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, said Tinubu and his party would face a tough challenge convincing Nigerians to vote for them in 2027.
