Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reiterated that he will retire from active politics after governorship.

He also stated that he has no presidential, vice presidential or senatorial ambition after his governorship position.

Governor Otti explained these on Friday, December 19, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia while reacting to a viral video, in which someone was berating him over his recent visit to Sokoto to see Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and alleging that he is nursing presidential or vice presidential ambition after the end of his tenure.

The Governor acknowledged that criticism is part of democracy, as everyone is free to hold an opinion, adding that, that one holds a different opinion does not mean he is right.

“In the first place, that is the beauty of democracy. So, people should hold their opinion, and we respect people’s opinion. And that you hold a different opinion doesn’t mean you are right.

“One of the things he talked about was my ambition after being Governor. And I had said it before, and I want to say it again, that by the time I’m done with governorship, I will retire.

“So, I don’t have presidential ambition, nor vice-presidential ambition. I also don’t have senatorial ambition. So, when I finish with governorship.

“I came for a mission. And when I deliver that mission, I will give way to younger people. So, he was talking of Igbo presidency. I don’t even understand what that means.

“So, I think if his thesis is based on that assumption, the assumption has collapsed, because he won’t see me on the ballot.

Governor Otti noted also, that it is important for a political office holder to know when to quit, especially when he has done what he is asked to do.

“When you have done what you have been asked to do, you clear, give way for other people. We’ve seen people here, after being Governor, who went to the Local Government Chairman.
That’s not what we are. We are not cut out for those kind of things.

Governor Otti equally explained why he visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at Sokoto.

“The second point is about Nnamdi Kanu. And I don’t want to put this matter in the public space so that it doesn’t jeopardise the discussions that I’m having.

“The truth about it is that exactly 24 months ago, I opened up discussions at the highest level on Nnamdi Kanu.

“And going to see him is the right thing to do, because he comes from my State. In fact, he comes from this Local Government (Umuahia North – State Capital).

“And there are always ways to solve a problem. I don’t believe that the way to solve a problem is to ignore it. And I had written extensively, even about Nnamdi Kanu and Operation Pyton Dance, I think in 2017 or 2018. And I condemned it.

“And I still condemn it. And some of the recordings that the gentleman put in his video, I cannot vouch for the veracity of that recording.

He said that he knows, that when an issue has been approached from the legal point of view, there is also another window, called the administrative point of view, noting that, that is where he (the Governor) is coming from.

“I’m not a lawyer. And if the judiciary says the man has been condemned to life imprisonment, that is the judiciary. Even that is not the end, because that’s the court of first instance. There is still an opportunity to appeal, and then an opportunity to even go to the Supreme Court.

“But, what we are trying to do is to intervene. I’m not a supporter of the disintegration of Nigeria.

“So, my position is that it would be insensitive of me to sit here and say one of our own who has been convicted should die when we have an opportunity to discuss, negotiate, and sue for peace. So, that is my position. “, Gov. Otti explained.

Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
19 – 12 – 2025.