Abia State Governor Alex Otti sat down with ARISE Television for a comprehensive interview in which he addressed the state’s fiscal challenges, his stance on national politics ahead of the 2027 elections, and his personal plans after leaving office.
Otti said his administration inherited roughly N191.2 billion in obligations, including contractor debts and pension arrears, but has continued to fund infrastructure projects. He highlighted the 2026 state budget of N1.016 trillion and pledged that “no less than 80 percent of our budget will go into capital expenditure,” aiming to channel resources into roads, hospitals and schools while keeping recurrent spending low.
On the issue of electricity subsidies, the governor argued that reliable power is essential for manufacturers, noting that “if you have to run a generator, buy the diesel, provide for the maintenance, you will find that you are paying a whole lot more than public power supply. It’s still cheaper than darkness.”
“You don’t relocate from your house because armed robbers came,” Otti said when asked why he remained in the Labour Party after Peter Obi’s departure.
He explained that Obi met with him before leaving the party and that, while Obi believed internal crises would persist, Otti felt the situation was already improving. Otti declined to criticize Obi’s decision, saying, “He could have seen what I wasn’t seeing. I don’t even have superiority of knowledge.”
Regarding President Bola Tinubu, Otti maintained a working relationship but cautioned that cooperation should not be read as an electoral endorsement. Pressed about rumors of Southeast governors backing Tinubu, he asserted, “Nobody can speak for me. I’m the one that will speak for myself,” and refused to disclose which candidate would receive his personal vote in the upcoming presidential race.
Looking beyond his governorship, Otti announced that he will not pursue a Senate seat, a presidential bid, or any other political office after his term ends. “Not local government chairman, not Senate, not President. I think I came to deliver a call, and that is what I am doing now. Once I finish it, I will retire,” he said, underscoring his intention to exit public life once his mandate concludes.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
