Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced that he plans to retire from active politics after completing his tenure, saying he wants younger Nigerians to have the opportunity to assume leadership positions.
Otti made the declaration in Umuahia while speaking about political succession and governance. He ruled out pursuing another elective position, including a Senate seat, after his tenure and said he does not intend to remain behind the scenes as a political godfather.
Alex Otti Rules Out Senate Ambition and Political Godfatherism
Alex Otti said he has no interest in extending his political career after completing his current political journey.
“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. Once I finish this one, I will retire,” he said.
The governor also rejected the idea of becoming a political godfather who would attempt to control Abia politics after leaving office. He said he would rather take a back seat and allow the people to determine who should succeed him.
“I don’t want to be a godfather. And I don’t tolerate godfathers,” Otti said, adding that whoever eventually succeeds him should be capable of building on the achievements of his administration.
Alex Otti Calls for Younger Leaders to Take Over
Alex Otti linked his decision to retire from politics to what he described as the need to create space for younger people to participate in governance.
“Once I finish this one, I will retire. Why do I say so? I want the young people to take over,” he said. He also criticised what he described as a “sit-tight” approach to political leadership, arguing that younger Nigerians are increasingly trained and equipped to contribute to governance.
The governor said his administration’s approach to leadership succession should focus on identifying a capable successor rather than imposing one. He said stakeholders would consider available candidates and support the person they believe is suitable, while ultimately leaving the electorate to decide.
Otti is seeking another term as Abia governor in the 2027 election. If he wins a second term, his governorship would run through 2031, after which his stated plan is to leave active politics.
For OGM News NG, Alex Otti’s declaration places generational succession and political retirement at the centre of the conversation surrounding his future, while his rejection of a Senate ambition and political godfatherism provides a clear outline of how he says he intends to leave public office.
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