Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has rejected claims by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, that all South-East governors have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia on Thursday, Otti said Uzodimma was entitled to his personal opinion but could not speak on behalf of the entire South-East.
His remarks followed Uzodimma’s statement on Wednesday at a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri, where he claimed the region’s governors had resolved to back Tinubu for a second term.
Uzodimma said President Tinubu had shown exceptional commitment to the development of the South-East through the Renewed Hope Agenda and that the governors had agreed to support him in the interest of national development.
Reacting, Otti insisted that no governor had the authority to make such a declaration for the region.
“If he said that, it is his right as a governor and as an individual. But he can’t speak for everybody,” Otti said.
He added that it was too early to make decisions about the 2027 presidential election, stressing that Nigerians would decide through the ballot box when the time comes.
Otti, however, reaffirmed his support for some of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy, noting that he had backed the policy long before becoming governor.
He also said President Tinubu has the constitutional right to seek a second term, just as every qualified Nigerian has the right to contest for the presidency.
According to him, the Labour Party will support its own presidential candidate in 2027 but will not challenge the constitutional rights of other aspirants to run for office.
Among the five South-East governors, Uzodimma of Imo, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and Peter Mbah of Enugu are members of the APC, while Otti belongs to the Labour Party and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo is a member of APGA.
