Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has strongly criticized politicians already discussing the 2027 general election, stating that such premature ambition reflects an attempt to “play God.” Speaking in Umuahia on Sunday, the governor questioned the rationale of individuals focusing on 2027 in 2025, emphasizing that “today is certain, tomorrow is only a promise.”
According to a 9am News report, Otti made the remarks during a courtesy visit by former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, and former Abia Central Senator Chris Adighije. The duo commended Otti’s performance in governance and infrastructural development across the state.
“Who are you to talk about 2027 when you can’t even guarantee tomorrow? Nobody is competent to talk about the future except if they want to play God,” Otti said.
Otti Endorses Tinubu’s Economic Tough Choices
Governor Otti reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, particularly on the decision to remove fuel subsidy an action Otti described as “bold, necessary, and long overdue.”
“We behaved irresponsibly for years. Now, we are facing the tough, painful corrections. If we remain patient, we will eventually get it right,” he noted.
He revealed that his alignment with Tinubu’s economic views predates politics, referring to his earlier columns in ThisDay Newspaper where he called for the removal of fuel subsidy as early as the COVID-19 era.
“President Tinubu and I have been friends before politics. When it comes to economic policy, we are often on the same page,” Otti stated.
Focus on Governance, Not Politics
Emphasizing his focus on governance over political bickering, Governor Otti noted that his administration has chosen to reset and rebuild, rather than dwell on past failures.
“Government is a continuum. It can be broken, but you must go back and recover it. I’m not here to fight anybody. I’m here to work for the people,” he said.
He cited the infrastructure blueprint adopted from former governor Kalu’s administration, which prioritized fixing Aba as a revenue-generating hub—a model Otti said remains effective.
“Fix the place that generates the revenue and the revenue will fix other places,” he explained.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, visibly impressed, praised Otti’s leadership and infrastructural achievements, particularly the rehabilitation of the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road.
“The road from Igbere to Umuahia used to take over three hours. Now it takes less than one hour. I drove on it and it felt like flying,” Kalu remarked.
Kalu, who described Otti as “a friend and brother for life,” emphasized that governance transcends party politics and urged the governor to remain close to President Tinubu, not for party alignment, but for the development of the state.
“You’ve done well for Abia. When the people feel good, they go for their best,” Kalu added.
Senator Chris Adighije also pledged his continued support for Governor Otti, citing progress in the state and the governor’s non-partisan approach to governance.
“I’m proud to be an Abian. Supporting you wasn’t a mistake. This is beyond party lines it’s about development,” Adighije stated.
He joined Senator Kalu in urging Otti to collaborate with President Tinubu for national and state-level development, while commending Tinubu’s performance in tackling Nigeria’s economic challenges.
As Nigeria inches towards another election cycle, Governor Otti’s firm stance on focusing on the present challenges and reforms rather than future political contests sets a notable tone in Abia’s political discourse.
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