Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has publicly distanced himself and the South-East region from the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu's second-term bid by his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma, insisting that no governor has the authority to speak on behalf of the entire region. Otti's remarks, which came on Thursday, July 24, 2026, directly countered Uzodimma's earlier declaration that the five South-East governors had resolved to work towards President Tinubu's re-election in the 2027 presidential election. The Abia governor stressed that Uzodimma's statement was merely a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as the collective position of South-East governors or the people of the region.
Uzodimma, who chairs the South-East Governors' Forum, had earlier told members of the Imo State Elders Council and the Imo State Traditional Rulers Council that the governors were convinced that Tinubu had done more for the region than past administrations. "The attempt by certain politicians to use the South East as a stage for anti-government sentiment is most despicable. We need to match propaganda with facts," Uzodimma said, according to SaharaReporters. However, Otti dismissed the claim, stating unequivocally that Uzodimma's endorsement was a personal political choice that could not be imposed on others. "As a governor and as an individual, you can't speak for everybody," Otti said. Referring directly to Uzodimma's endorsement, the Abia governor added: "The governor of Imo State said something about re-electing the President, but I'm not sure it is right to say that. As a governor and as an individual, he can't speak for every governor."
Otti maintained that decisions on the 2027 presidential election would be made by Nigerians at the appropriate time, urging against premature political declarations. "I'm sure there is an appropriate time when people will take their decision," he said. The governor also noted that governance should remain the priority, adding that there are still important national issues requiring attention before the country shifts its focus to electoral politics. "I think we still have issues..." he said. "As a governor and as an individual, you can't speak for everybody."
While distancing himself from Uzodimma's endorsement, Otti clarified that his position should not be misconstrued as blanket opposition to the Tinubu administration. He acknowledged that the Federal Government had introduced a number of policies he supports, explaining that his backing for such policies predates his emergence as governor. "But then, let's also say something here. This is a government, and a government sees all the work from the national level to the sub-national level and even to the corporate level,” Otti added. "Like I said the other day, there are a lot of policies that I have supported, even as a private citizen before I became the governor of the state."
Otti's comments come amid growing political discussions over the 2027 general elections following Uzodimma's public endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term. The disagreement between the two governors highlights the lack of consensus among South-East leaders on the region's political direction ahead of the next election cycle, even as the ruling All Progressives Congress seeks to consolidate support in a region that has historically leaned towards opposition parties. Uzodimma, who also serves as Chairman of the Progressives Governors' Forum and Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, had framed the endorsement as a collective decision based on what he described as the Tinubu administration's verifiable achievements in the South-East. However, Otti's swift rejection of that claim has exposed a fracture in the region's political leadership and reinforced the view that the South-East's political alignment remains far from settled.
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