Otti opens up on presidency talk, reveals decision on political career

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared that he will retire completely from politics after completing his tenure as governor, dismissing speculations that he is nursing presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial ambitions.

Otti made the clarification while reacting to a viral video accusing him of plotting a future run for higher office following his recent visit to detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

Speaking through a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor said his position on quitting politics after office has always been clear.

“Divergence of opinion is part of democracy,” Otti said. “People are entitled to their views, but that does not make such opinions right.”

He stressed that his mission in government is limited and time-bound.

“I have said it before and I want to say it again — after my governorship, I will retire. I have no presidential ambition, no vice-presidential ambition, and no senatorial ambition,” he said.

“I came on a mission, and when that mission is delivered, I will give way for younger people. So if anyone’s argument is based on the assumption that I will contest again, that assumption has collapsed. I will not be on the ballot.”

The governor added that public office holders must know when to quit.

“When you have done what you were elected to do, you should take the exit door. We have seen people who went from being governors to local government chairmen. That is not what we are here for,” he said.

Explaining his visit to Nnamdi Kanu, Otti said the move had nothing to do with politics or ambition but was driven by a need for dialogue and peace.

“Kanu comes from my state, from this local government. Ignoring a problem does not solve it. There are legal and administrative windows to resolve issues,” he said.

Otti disclosed that discussions over Kanu’s case began at the highest level over 24 months ago, stressing that he does not support the disintegration of Nigeria.

“Even people sentenced to death can be pardoned. Two wrongs do not make a right. What I am working towards is peace, not politics,” the governor stated.

He concluded by insisting that his intervention was purely humanitarian and administrative, warning against reading political motives into every action.

“Everything is not politics,” Otti said