Abia State Governor Alex Otti said on Friday that he will not contest any elective office after his current term ends, ruling out a bid for the 2027 presidential election as well as seats in the Senate or local government.
Speaking to Arise TV, Otti addressed questions about former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s presidential aspirations and clarified that he has no intention of entering the race himself.
Otti emphasized that he will allow any candidate to campaign in Abia, stating, “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.” He added that he has no personal rivalry with Obi.
“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. I think I came to deliver a calling, and that is what I’m doing now. Once I finish it, I’ll retire. And I’m not getting any younger anymore.”
Otti’s declaration comes as Nigeria’s political calendar moves toward the 2027 general elections, with several governors and former office‑holders publicly weighing their future ambitions. Abia State, located in the southeast, has been under Otti’s leadership since his election, and his decision signals a rare instance of a sitting governor pledging to exit politics after completing a single term.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
