Abia State Governor Alex Otti has confirmed he will retire from active politics at the end of his gubernatorial tenure, ruling out any future bids for the presidency or other elective positions.
Addressing his political future during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, the governor insisted he would not seek any further 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,” he said. He added that he entered office to “deliver a calling” and noted, “I’m not getting any younger anymore.”
The governor also addressed questions regarding former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s presidential ambition and clarified their personal relationship, reassuring observers that opposition candidates are free to canvass for votes in the state.
“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,” Otti stated. Pointing to figures such as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, he stressed that all candidates would be granted equal access to campaign, concluding, “So that is what democracy is about.”