Otti to Uzodimma: You can’t speak for all South-East governors

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has distanced himself from claims by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, that the five governors of the South-East have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia on Thursday, Otti said Uzodimma was entitled to his personal opinion but lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of all governors in the region.

“You said the governor of Imo State said something about re-electing the president. I am not sure I have heard that. But if he said that, it is his right to say it as a governor and as an individual. But he can’t speak for everybody,” Otti said.

“I’m sure that at the appropriate time, people would take their decision. I think it’s still early days.”

His comments came a day after Uzodimma told members of the Imo State Elders Council and traditional rulers in Owerri that all South-East governors had resolved to back Tinubu for a second term, citing what he described as the President’s commitment to the development of the region under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The South-East has decided. Our people judge governments by performance and not by political sentiments. The evidence is on the ground,” Uzodimma had said.

“We, the five governors of the South-East, have reviewed all options and decided that we will work with President Bola Tinubu because we want to be part of the Project Nigeria.”

While rejecting the suggestion of a collective endorsement, Otti maintained that Tinubu was constitutionally qualified to seek another term and that Nigerians would ultimately decide the outcome of the election.