RismadarVoice Reporters, July 25, 2026
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he is not opposed to President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term in office, stressing that the President is constitutionally entitled to contest the 2027 election if he chooses.
The Labour Party governor, however, dismissed claims that all South-East governors had agreed to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that no individual could speak on behalf of the entire region.
Otti made the remarks while responding to comments by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, who recently claimed that the region’s five governors had resolved to back President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Uzodimma attributed the alleged support to ongoing Federal Government projects, including road construction and the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Addressing journalists, Otti said every governor and political office holder is entitled to personal political opinions. “I am not sure I heard that, but if Governor Hope Uzodimma said so, that is his personal right as a governor and an individual; therefore, he cannot speak for everybody. It is still too early to have that conversation,” he said.
The governor emphasised that governance requires cooperation between the federal, state and local governments, regardless of political affiliations.
Speaking further, Otti maintained that President Tinubu has the constitutional right to seek another term, just as any other qualified Nigerian has the right to contest elective office.
“I am not against the President contesting for a second term; that is because he has every right to run, and others who wish to contest also have the same right. Ultimately, it is the Nigerian people who will decide through the ballot box,” he said.
He reiterated that democratic elections, not political endorsements, would determine who emerges victorious in 2027. The governor also expressed support for some of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, noting that he had consistently opposed the policy even before assuming office.
According to him, fuel subsidies encourage corruption and are not a sustainable economic strategy.
Speaking during the media interaction, Rismadarvoice gathered that Otti highlighted several achievements of his administration, announcing that Abia has risen to become the third most improved state in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index.
The governor said the state moved from 36th position to 10th and now ranks third nationally, behind Enugu and Jigawa, attributing the improvement to reforms across key sectors. Otti disclosed that Abia currently leads Nigeria in maternal and infant healthcare performance, citing first-quarter 2026 national health data.
He revealed that 144 of the state’s 200 Primary Healthcare Centres have been fully upgraded, while 77 additional facilities renovated through a World Bank-supported programme have been completed, with more expected to become operational soon. He also noted significant growth in enrollment under the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme.
The governor announced the acquisition of 20 additional electric buses to expand public transportation across Abia and neighbouring states.
The new buses will operate routes including Umuahia–Bende–Arochukwu, Umuahia–Uturu, Umuahia–Umudike–Ikwuano, Aba–Owerri and Aba–Ukwa.
He added that surveillance systems have been installed in the buses to monitor driver conduct and improve accountability.
Otti said the state government has issued 4,923 Certificates of Occupancy over the past three years, with nearly 1,000 processed in 2026 alone.
He also announced the completion of Abia’s digital mapping project in collaboration with UN-Habitat, describing it as a major step toward eliminating fraudulent land transactions and improving property documentation.
The governor said two Smart Schools have been completed and commissioned, while construction of additional schools is ongoing.
He added that work is progressing at the Aba Bus Terminal, and the first phase of the Ekeoma Market redevelopment project has been completed ahead of inauguration.
Although heavy rains have slowed some road projects, Otti assured residents that construction continues across the state. He also pledged sustained investment in drainage infrastructure to address recurring flooding.
To tackle rising housing demand in Aba and Umuahia, the governor announced plans to commence the Pocket Layout Housing Project in Umuahia.
Otti described the recent visit of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as a boost for Abia’s indigenous textile industry.
He disclosed that the state has opened a dedicated account for the Akwete Cloth Production Hub and that funds pledged by the First Lady for women involved in the textile business would soon be released.
The governor urged residents to promote locally made Akwete fabric by wearing and patronising the traditional textile.
He also commended residents for supporting environmental sanitation efforts and lauded security agencies for maintaining peace across the state, expressing confidence that his administration would sustain its reform agenda and accelerate Abia’s development.
