Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reiterated that he will retire from active politics after completing his tenure, insisting he has no presidential, vice-presidential, or senatorial ambitions
Otti made the statement on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia while responding to a viral video in which he was criticized for visiting Nnamdi Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre. Critics alleged that the visit indicated he was eyeing higher political office after his governorship.
Acknowledging that differences of opinion are part of democracy, Otti stressed that holding a contrary view does not make one right.
“One of the things he talked about was my ambition after being governor, and I have said it before, and I want to say it again, that by the time I am done with governorship, I will retire. So I do not have presidential ambition, nor vice-presidential ambition. I also do not have senatorial ambition when I finish with the governorship,” he said.
Otti emphasized the importance of knowing when to exit political office after fulfilling one’s mandate. “When you have done what you have been asked to do, you must take the exit door and give way to other people. We have seen people here who, after being governor, went back to become local government chairmen. That is not what we are here for,” he added.
On his visit to Kanu, Otti explained that it was part of a longstanding effort to engage on issues concerning the detained Biafra leader, stressing that ignoring problems is not a solution. “Exactly 24 months ago, I opened up discussions at the highest level on Nnamdi Kanu…going to see him is the right thing to do, because he comes from my state,” he said.
Otti also clarified that his visit was not politically motivated. “I am not a supporter of the disintegration of Nigeria. It would be insensitive of me to sit here and say that one of our own who has been convicted should die when we have an opportunity to discuss, negotiate, and sue for peace…Everything is not politics,” he concluded.
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