Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he will not impose a successor on the people of the state after completing his second term in office, insisting that Abia voters should determine who takes over from him.
Otti stated this on Thursday in Umuahia while receiving former Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ngozi Gladys Johnson-Chukwunenye, and her supporters into the Labour Party.
The governor said he had no interest in becoming a political godfather and would not attempt to control the state’s politics after leaving office.
According to him, the process of choosing his successor should involve identifying the most suitable person for the position, with the people ultimately deciding through the electoral process.
“I don’t want to be a godfather and I don’t tolerate godfathers,” Otti said, adding that after identifying a suitable candidate, they would campaign for the person and subsequently take a back seat.
Otti also reiterated that he intends to retire from active politics after completing his tenure and does not plan to seek a seat in the Senate.
“I keep saying it, I’m not interested in anything else. I don’t even want to go to the Senate. I’m not interested,” he said.
The governor said his decision was informed by his desire to create opportunities for younger people to take up leadership positions.
He pointed to the Abia Leadership Academy, saying more than 1,080 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 had recently graduated from the programme as part of efforts to prepare them for future leadership responsibilities.
Otti also called for an end to what he described as the practice of political leaders remaining in power indefinitely, stressing that younger generations should be given opportunities to contribute to governance.
The governor is currently seeking a second term in office in the 2027 governorship election.
His comments come as political parties and aspirants begin preparations and consultations ahead of the 2027 elections across the country.
