Abia State Governor Alex Otti on his interview with OjyOkpe has clarified his position on President Bola Tinubu and the 2027 presidential election
By Avid Reporters
Alex Otti has drawn a clear line between his responsibilities as Abia State Governor and his personal political choice ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in governance should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Otti made the clarification during an interview with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe, as questions continue to surround his relationship with Tinubu, his continued membership of the Labour Party and the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Abia governor said Tinubu has the constitutional right to contest the 2027 presidential election, but stressed that he already has a presidential candidate whom he intends to support.
Why Otti Says Supporting Tinubu Does Not Mean Supporting His 2027 Bid
Otti explained that his position is influenced partly by the responsibilities attached to his office as governor.
As a member of the National Economic Council, he participates in discussions and decisions involving the Federal Government and the states. He therefore argued that his working relationship with Tinubu should be understood within the context of governance rather than automatically interpreted as an electoral endorsement.
The governor distinguished between supporting the President in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities and choosing a candidate to support at the presidential election.
According to Otti, Tinubu’s right to seek another term is separate from the question of who he personally intends to support at the polls.
ARISE News reported that when asked whether he supported Tinubu for the 2027 election, Otti maintained that he had already stated that he had a presidential candidate and confirmed that he intended to support that candidate.
The comments provide a clearer explanation of a political position that had generated questions because Otti has continued to cooperate with the Tinubu administration while remaining a Labour Party governor.
Otti: Tinubu Has The Right To Contest
While separating his working relationship with Tinubu from his electoral choice, Otti acknowledged that the President has the right to seek re-election.
The governor’s position, as reported from the interview, was that recognising Tinubu’s constitutional right to contest does not require him to make Tinubu his preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
This distinction is central to Otti’s latest comments.
Rather than presenting his relationship with the Federal Government solely through the lens of partisan opposition, he described his role as a governor as requiring cooperation on matters of governance while maintaining his separate political position as a Labour Party member.
Why Otti Stayed In The Labour Party
Otti also addressed questions about his decision to remain in the Labour Party despite the internal disputes and legal battles that have affected the party.
He said he remained because he believed the problems within the party could be resolved.
According to Otti, those problems have since been addressed.
He made the comments while responding to questions about his continued membership of the Labour Party and Peter Obi’s decision to leave the party. ARISE News reported that Otti argued that leaving the party was not the solution to its internal difficulties because he believed the problems could be resolved from within.
His position means that, despite the turbulence that surrounded the party, he continues to identify with the Labour Party as his political platform.
Labour Party’s 2027 Presidential Ticket
Otti’s clarification comes after the Labour Party selected Dr Chibuzo Sunday Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The party announced Okereke’s emergence in May 2026 following a consensus process, describing him as a governance expert, policy strategist and reform advocate.
The party subsequently ratified its candidates for the 2027 elections at its National Executive Council meeting in June, with Okereke formally recognised as its presidential candidate.
In September, Okereke also appeared in Abia during a Labour Party solidarity roadshow in Arochukwu, where he canvassed support for Otti and other Labour Party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The developments place Otti’s latest comments within an established Labour Party electoral structure ahead of the 2027 contest.
Otti’s Position Puts Governance And Electoral Politics In Separate Boxes
The distinction drawn by the Abia governor is essentially between two roles.
As governor, Otti is involved in intergovernmental relations and national economic discussions involving the Federal Government. As a Labour Party politician, he has a separate political affiliation and electoral choice.
His latest comments indicate that he does not view cooperation with the President on governance issues as incompatible with supporting another candidate in the presidential election.
That distinction is particularly relevant as political activity intensifies ahead of 2027 and politicians face questions about whether their relationships with members of the Federal Government reflect their electoral preferences.
What Otti’s Statement Means For Labour Party Ahead Of 2027
Otti’s clarification places his stated presidential preference within the Labour Party’s current political structure.
The party has already identified Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate, while Otti remains the Labour Party’s candidate for the Abia governorship election. Recent Labour Party activities in Abia have also seen Okereke campaign alongside or in support of Otti and other Labour candidates.
The latest comments therefore provide context to Otti’s continued presence within the party and his relationship with the Federal Government.
For now, the Abia governor’s position, as expressed in the ARISE News interview, is that working with Tinubu as President and choosing whom to support in the 2027 presidential election are two separate matters.
As the 2027 political season develops, Otti’s comments are likely to remain relevant to discussions about the Labour Party’s presidential campaign and the Abia governor’s role within the party.
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