Abia State Governor Alex Otti has stated that presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are welcome to campaign in his state ahead of the 2027 general elections. Otti made the declaration during an interview with Arise Television that aired on Friday, emphasizing that his state is open to all political figures seeking to engage with the electorate.
Addressing his relationship with Peter Obi, the governor clarified that there is no personal conflict between them. "Absolutely, anybody that wants to campaign in my state is allowed," Otti said. "Peter Obi and I are not fighting, there is nobody that I'm fighting so if he wants to campaign in my state he would be allowed."
Otti extended the same invitation to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). "Any other person – even Atiku – if he wants to campaign he would be allowed because that is what democracy is all about," he added, framing the open access as a fundamental principle of the democratic process.
The governor’s remarks follow recent incidents involving Peter Obi, the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in neighboring Benue State. Obi was recently prevented from entering Makurdi, the Benue State capital, for a scheduled meeting with NDC stakeholders.
In addition to the stakeholder meeting, Obi had planned to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue during the same period. The Abia governor’s assurance of open access contrasts with these earlier restrictions, highlighting differing approaches to political campaigning across the region.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
