A fresh crack has emerged within the South-East political bloc after Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, openly distanced himself and the region from Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, insisting that no governor has the mandate to speak on behalf of the entire South-East.
Otti’s remarks came in response to Uzodimma’s declaration that governors of the five South-East states had resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 presidential election, citing what he described as the President’s “verifiable achievements” in the region.
The Imo governor, who chairs the South-East Governors’ Forum, made the declaration during a meeting with members of the Imo State Elders Council and the Imo State Traditional Rulers Council at the Government House in Owerri. He argued that the Tinubu administration had delivered more tangible development to the South-East than previous governments and accused some political actors of spreading anti-government propaganda against the Federal Government.
“The attempt by certain politicians to use the South-East as a stage for anti-government sentiment is most despicable. We need to match propaganda with facts,” Uzodimma said.
However, Otti firmly rejected the suggestion that the South-East had collectively endorsed Tinubu’s second-term ambition, stressing that Uzodimma’s statement reflected only his personal political position.
“As a governor and as an individual, you can’t speak for everybody,” Otti said.
Referring directly to Uzodimma’s comments, the Abia governor maintained that no individual governor has the authority to commit the region to a political decision ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The governor of Imo State said something about re-electing the President, but I’m not sure it is right to say that. As a governor and as an individual, he can’t speak for every governor,” Otti stated.
He urged politicians to avoid premature campaigns, insisting that the decision on who occupies the Presidency in 2027 ultimately rests with Nigerians when the time comes.
“I’m sure there is an appropriate time when people will take their decision,” he said, adding that governments at all levels should remain focused on addressing pressing national challenges instead of shifting attention to electioneering.
While rejecting Uzodimma’s endorsement, Otti clarified that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to the Tinubu administration. He acknowledged supporting several policies of the Federal Government, noting that his views on those reforms predated his election as governor.
“There are a lot of policies that I have supported, even as a private citizen before I became the governor of the state,” he said.
The public disagreement between two influential South-East governors has intensified political conversations over the 2027 presidential race and exposed differing positions within the region on President Tinubu’s re-election bid, despite earlier claims of a united front by the South-East Governors’ Forum.