Abia State Governor Alex Otti announced on Thursday in Umuahia that he will neither become a political godfather nor impose a successor once his second term ends in 2031. The declaration was made while he welcomed former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate Mrs. Ngozi Johnson Chukwunenye and her supporters into the Labour Party.
Otti said that leadership succession in the state should be based on merit and competence rather than a “sit‑tight” culture. “The most important thing you can give a people is good governance,” he said. “Once people test good governance, it will be very difficult for them to allow you to take them back.” He added that the person who succeeds him will be better equipped to serve Abia’s citizens.
“I don’t want to be a godfather, and I don’t tolerate godfathers,” Otti said. “We will all sit down, look at everybody and say, ‘Who is the best person for this job?’ Then all of us will agree, and we will campaign for him. He will win, and we will take a back seat.”
Reaffirming a stance he has held since taking office, Otti also stated that he will not seek any elective position after his second term. “There are smarter, more trained, better‑equipped younger people; our children. We need to give them the opportunity,” he said, urging the state to move beyond the entrenched political culture.
The governor highlighted his administration’s efforts to groom future leaders through the Abia Leadership Academy, where more than 1,080 young people aged 16 to 25 recently graduated. “These are the people that will take over from us,” Otti said, stressing that they are being trained now for tomorrow’s challenges.
Otti also outlined the government’s development strategy, noting that initial focus was on restoring Aba and Umuahia before extending projects to other parts of the state. “We are now moving into the hinterlands, and we will continue until we reach everywhere, so nothing will stop us,” he added.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
