Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said he plans to retire from active politics after completing his tenure, ruling out a future presidential bid, Senate contest or other elective office.
Otti made the latest declaration while speaking about his political future in an interview with Arise TV on Friday. He was responding to questions about former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s political ambitions and whether he could consider seeking the presidency himself in the future.
The Abia governor said he had no plans to contest for another political position after completing his tenure and would instead step away from active politics.
Otti has made similar statements previously. In December 2025, he said he had no presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial ambition after leaving the governorship, adding that he intended to make way for younger people.
His latest comments reinforce that position, with the governor saying he would retire after his tenure rather than seek another elective office.
Otti also addressed his relationship with Obi, saying there was no disagreement between them and that the former Anambra governor would be free to campaign in Abia if he chose to do so.
He said the same principle would apply to other political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, arguing that political candidates should be allowed to campaign in the state.
Otti's comments come amid increased political activity ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections and continuing discussions about the political ambitions of several prominent figures.
The governor's position on his own political future is also consistent with remarks he made in Umuahia on September 17, when he said he was not interested in contesting for the Senate after completing his tenure and wanted younger people to take over political leadership.
At that event, Otti also said he did not want to become a political godfather and expressed support for a succession process based on selecting a suitable candidate rather than maintaining what he described as a “sit-tight” system.
The governor's current tenure is expected to run through 2031 following his re-election as Abia governor. His latest comments therefore indicate that he intends to leave elective politics after completing that tenure rather than pursue another position.
While Otti has repeatedly stated that he intends to retire from politics, his comments represent his current position and do not by themselves determine what political decisions he may make in the future.
For now, the governor has publicly ruled out a presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial bid after his governorship and said he wants younger Nigerians to have an opportunity to assume political leadership.
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