Abia State Governor Alex Otti has distanced himself from claims by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma that all five South-East governors have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia on Thursday, Otti said Uzodimma was entitled to his personal opinion but lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of every governor in the region.
“He has the right to express his views as a governor and as an individual, but he cannot speak for everybody,” Otti said, adding that it was still too early for such political declarations.
The Labour Party governor stressed that President Tinubu has the constitutional right to seek a second term, just as other aspirants are free to contest, noting that the electorate would ultimately decide the outcome at the ballot box.
Otti also reaffirmed his support for key economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing his position as one he had consistently maintained even before becoming governor.
While acknowledging that the Labour Party would support its own presidential candidate in the next election, Otti said this would not prevent him from respecting the rights of other political parties and candidates.
Uzodimma had earlier said the five South-East governors had resolved to back Tinubu’s re-election, citing what he described as the administration’s commitment to the development of the region under the Renewed Hope Agenda.