Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has ruled out seeking the presidency, a Senate seat or any other elective office after completing his tenure as governor, saying he intends to retire from active politics and give younger people an opportunity to lead.
Otti made the latest declaration on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, while receiving former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate Ngozi Gladys Johnson-Chukwunenye and her supporters into the Labour Party (LP).
The governor said he was not interested in extending his political career after completing his tenure and also rejected the idea of becoming a political godfather who would continue to influence Abia politics after leaving office.
Otti Rules Out Senate Ambition
Speaking about his political future, Otti said he had no intention of contesting for the Senate after his governorship.
“I keep saying it, I’m not interested in anything else. I don’t even want to go to the Senate. I’m not interested,” the governor said.
He added that his plan was to leave politics after completing his tenure and allow younger Nigerians to take up leadership positions.
“Once I finish this one, I will retire. Why do I say so? I want the young people to take over,” Otti said.
The latest statement is consistent with comments the governor made in December 2025, when he said he had no presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial ambition after his governorship.
At the time, Otti said he would leave politics after completing his work as governor and make way for younger people.
Governor Says He Does Not Want to Be Political Godfather
Otti also ruled out maintaining political influence in Abia after leaving office through a godfather-style role.
“I don’t want to be a godfather. And I don’t tolerate godfathers,” he said.
The governor said the person who eventually succeeds him should be selected through a process that considers the suitability of available candidates rather than through the imposition of a preferred successor.
He said he expected his successor to be capable of building on the work of his administration and indicated that he would take a back seat after leaving office.
Premium Times reported that Otti said leadership succession should involve identifying the most suitable person for the job and allowing Abia voters to determine the state’s next governor.
Otti Calls for Opportunities for Younger Leaders
The Abia governor linked his decision to what he described as the need to create opportunities for younger people to participate in leadership.
He criticised what he called a “sit-tight” approach to political leadership, arguing that younger and better-trained people should be given opportunities to contribute to governance.
“We should stop this sit-tight; it’s only you. Not only you, it also can’t be only you. There are smarter, more trained, better trained, better equipped younger people. Our children, we need to give them opportunities,” Otti said.
He also described good governance as one of the most important things a government can provide for its people.
“The most important thing you can give a people is good governance,” he said.
Statement Comes Amid 2031 Succession Discussion
Otti’s comments relate particularly to the political transition that would follow the end of his tenure.
In his September 17 statement, published on his official website, the governor said he was not interested in contesting for the Senate in 2031 and would retire after completing his tenure.
He also said he did not want to impose a successor on Abia, instead suggesting that the eventual choice should emerge from a collective assessment of candidates and the decision of voters.
The statement came during the reception of Johnson-Chukwunenye, who contested the 2023 Abia governorship election on the SDP platform.
Johnson-Chukwunenye subsequently expressed support for Otti’s second-term bid and formally joined the Labour Party at the event.
Otti’s Position on His Political Future
Otti’s latest declaration does not mean he is withdrawing from politics immediately.
Rather, he is stating that he intends to leave active politics after completing his governorship. His comments therefore concern his political plans after his tenure rather than his current administration or ongoing political activities.
His December 2025 statement had already ruled out presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial ambitions after his governorship. The September 2026 declaration further reinforced that position by specifically stating that he does not intend to seek the Senate or another political position.
What Happens Next
Otti remains focused on his administration in Abia and the political developments surrounding the state’s future leadership.
The governor has said he wants younger people to take over leadership and has rejected the idea of remaining as a political godfather after leaving office.
The eventual succession of Abia’s government will, however, be determined through the electoral and political processes applicable at the time. Otti’s stated intention is that he will not impose a successor or seek another elective position after completing his governorship.
For now, Otti’s comments provide a clear indication of how he says he intends to approach the end of his political career: complete his governorship, leave active politics and create room for younger leaders.
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Sources
- Alex Otti Official Website — Governor’s September 17, 2026 statement on his political plans and reception of Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye.
- Channels Television — Report on Otti’s decision to retire from active politics and his rejection of a Senate bid.
- Premium Times — Report on Otti’s comments about his successor and political godfatherism.
- Punch — Report on Otti’s September 25, 2026 confirmation that he will retire from politics after his tenure.
- Punch — December 2025 report on Otti’s earlier declaration that he had no presidential, vice-presidential or senatorial ambition after his governorship.
