I Won’t Be a Godfather; Abia Voters Will Pick My Successor — Otti

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said he will not act as a political godfather or impose a successor on the people of the state when his tenure ends.

Otti stated that the decision on who succeeds him would ultimately belong to Abia voters, stressing that the electorate should determine the next governor through the democratic process.

The governor’s position comes ahead of the 2027 governorship election, when Abia voters will elect a successor to the incumbent administration.

Otti, who assumed office in May 2023, is serving his first term and is constitutionally eligible to seek re-election in 2027.

The governor has previously said his administration’s focus is on delivering its mandate and building institutions that can continue to function beyond individual political office holders.

His latest comments underline his stated position that political succession should not be determined solely by the preference of an incumbent governor.

The issue of political succession has remained prominent in Nigerian state politics, with governors often playing influential roles in determining the candidates who succeed them.

Otti, however, said he would not use his position to dictate the choice of Abia’s next governor.

He maintained that the people of the state should have the freedom to assess candidates, their records, programmes and political platforms before making their choice at the ballot box.

The governor’s comments also come as political parties and potential aspirants begin preparations for the 2027 elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission is expected to oversee the electoral process, while political parties will conduct their internal processes to select candidates for the governorship contest.

Otti was elected governor of Abia State in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party, defeating the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.

His emergence ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s long period of control of the state.

Otti later became involved in efforts to strengthen political structures around his administration, while also maintaining that governance should remain focused on delivering development to residents.

The governor has frequently highlighted infrastructure, economic reforms, healthcare, education and other areas as priorities of his administration.

As the 2027 political season approaches, attention is expected to focus increasingly on the candidates that different parties will present for the Abia governorship election.

The question of who will eventually succeed Otti is also likely to attract greater political attention as parties begin consultations and mobilisation.

For now, the governor has stated that he will not assume the role of a political godfather in determining his successor.

Instead, he said the ultimate decision should rest with Abia voters, who will exercise their constitutional right to choose the next governor through the electoral process.