Comrade Emma Okorie

Youth Wing, Abia State APC.

Governor Alex Otti’s recent declaration of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he made during the visit of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu to his Nvosi home, has raised more questions than answers. While the statement may appear straightforward, a closer look at the Governor’s political associations tell a very different story.

Governor Otti’s open ties with political figures like Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Mr. Peter Obi; who are the national coalition gladiators, championing efforts to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, cast serious doubt on the sincerity of his stated support.

To be clear, there is a distinction between supporting the policies of a sitting President for the sake of governance and endorsing his re-election. If Governor Otti’s support is limited to governance, there is little cause for controversy. However, if he is claiming to support the President’s re-election bid while actively aligning with his political opponents, then such a position is at best ambiguous, and at worst, disingenuous.

We therefore call on Governor Otti to clarify his stance and boldly affirm if his so-called support for President Tinubu is solely about governance and policy collaboration, or does it extend to backing his re-election in 2027? This distinction matters, especially given the political realities of today.

Notably, South-East Governors such as Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra and Mr. Peter Mbah of Enugu though from different political parties have clearly stated their support for President Tinubu’s re-election, distinct from support for governance. Unlike Governor Otti, they have also maintained control over their political structures, ensuring these platforms are not used to routinely attack the President.

In contrast, the vast majority of Otti’s support base is 99% made up of  the “Obidients”

(followers of Mr. Peter Obi), they continue to remain firmly aligned with Mr. Peter Obi and not Otti, who they believe should be under Obi. The “Obidients” till date are openly hostile to President Tinubu. Therefore, expecting Governor Otti to persuade this base to support Mr. President is not only unrealistic, but also reveals a fundamental contradiction against reality. If Otti truly holds influence over his followers, let him immediately and openly persuade them to shift allegiance to President Tinubu, a challenge that would likely expose the limits of his control.

While Governor Otti claims to be noncommittal about 2027, his political maneuvers suggest otherwise. It is disingenuous to dismiss the coming elections under the guise of focusing solely on governance, when he is actively participating in political realignment.

Moreover, while other Southeast governors have publicly acknowledged the benefits of President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies which has significantly increased state revenues, Governor Otti has taken full credit for improved finances in Abia, portraying himself as a lone achiever. A sincere supporter of the President would at least recognise the enabling federal policies that have empowered state-level performance.

Despite receiving more than N800 billion in combined revenue, a figure far exceeding what previous Abia administrations managed,  the state still grapples with issues of poor accountability, lack of transparency, inflated contract costs, conflict of interest, and a general disregard for due process. Abia remains one of the most mismanaged states in the federation, and the Governor must rise to meet the standards set by his peers across the country.

Governor Otti’s continues bogus claim of a long-standing friendship with President Tinubu, one that supposedly predates politics, raises an important question; if such a relationship truly existed, why did it have no positive impact on the President’s electoral performance in Abia State during the 2023 elections, where Mr. Peter Obi candidate of Labour Party overwhelmingly dominated the polls?

What, exactly, has changed since then that Governor Otti now believes will result in a different outcome in 2027?

To Governor Otti and his core support base  which is “Obidients”, that so-called friendship with President Tinubu clearly holds no real value, they will never leave Mr. Obi for anyone and definitely not, President Tinubu they disparage daily on social media. Reassuringly, the President is not unaware of the insincerity behind such claims.

Governor Otti must decide whether he wants to continue with governing Abia as one-man-show or emulate “familitocrazy” that defined the darkest days of Abia politics from inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999. Both “familitocracy” and his styled one-man-show are one and same. Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Governor Otti are unrepentant supporters of Mr. Peter Obi, they supported him in 2023, they will do it again in 2027.

In conclusion, no-one can worship two gods at same time, Gov otti must quit playing both sides of the political divide, the people he is trying to deceive are smarter. Transparency and, consistency are marks of a truth Leader.