‘You Can’t Speak For Everybody’ – Otti Distances Self From Uzodinma’s Claim of Southeast Govs’ Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed claims by his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodinma, that all governors in the Southeast have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, describing the statement as a personal opinion.

Speaking during a press conference in Umuahia, Otti stated that Governor Uzodinma lacks the authority to make political declarations on behalf of other governors in the region.

The Abia governor stressed that while Uzodinma is free to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, he cannot speak for the other Southeast governors or the people of the region on such a sensitive political matter.

Otti’s reaction comes after Uzodinma announced that the five Southeast governors had resolved to work together to ensure President Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.

The Imo State governor made the declaration during a meeting with the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri, where he attributed the purported decision to what he described as the Tinubu administration’s exceptional commitment to the development of the Southeast.

According to Uzodinma, the President has demonstrated unprecedented support for the region through major infrastructure projects and economic initiatives, adding that the visible federal presence across the Southeast justified backing his second-term ambition regardless of political affiliations.

However, Otti rejected the claim, insisting that no governor has the mandate to make such a collective political commitment on behalf of the region.

He further noted that discussions about the 2027 general election are premature, maintaining that every political leader and stakeholder will decide their preferred course of action when the appropriate time comes.

Otti’s remarks have added a fresh dimension to the growing political conversation surrounding the 2027 elections, particularly in the Southeast, where political alignments and endorsements are expected to play a significant role as the election season draws closer.