Abia State Governor Alex Otti has declared that he will leave elective politics completely after completing his tenure, ruling out not only a 2027 presidential bid but also any attempt to return to public office through the Senate or local government.
Otti made the position clear in an interview with ARISE News on Friday, saying his political career would end with his tenure as governor because he considered his present assignment a calling rather than a stepping stone to another office.
“I had said just a few days ago that by the time I’m done with this, I’ll retire. So I’m not going to run for any other thing, not local government chairman, not Senate, not president, no,” the governor said.
The declaration comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections and renewed questions over whether serving governors would seek higher office after completing their current mandates.
Otti said he intended to focus on completing what he had undertaken in Abia rather than pursuing another elective position, adding, “I think I came to deliver a calling, and that is what I’m doing now. Once I finish it, I’ll retire.”
The governor had also stated earlier in September that he did not intend to remain active in politics after his tenure and did not want to become a political godfather, while arguing for greater opportunities for younger Nigerians to assume leadership roles.
His latest comments also touched on former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and the possibility of Obi campaigning in Abia ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Otti said he had no disagreement with Obi and would not prevent him from campaigning in the state, stressing that other presidential aspirants would similarly be allowed to campaign.
“Oh, absolutely. Anybody that wants to campaign in my state will be allowed. Peter Obi and I are not fighting. Just like there’s nobody I’m fighting,” he said.
He added that the same principle would apply if former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or any other presidential aspirant sought to campaign in Abia.
“So if he wants to campaign in the state, he will be allowed to campaign. If any other person, even Atiku, if he wants to campaign, he will be allowed to campaign. So that is what democracy is about,” Otti said.
Otti’s position on leaving politics follows his earlier comments that the emergence of his successor should not be driven by a “sit-tight” political culture, with the governor saying younger people should be given opportunities to assume leadership.
