Otti: I Won’t Become A Political Godfather Or Impose My Successor

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said he will not assume the role of a political godfather or attempt to handpick his successor after completing his second term in office in 2031.

Otti spoke on Thursday in Umuahia while receiving former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate Ngozi Johnson Chukwunenye and her supporters into the Labour Party (LP).

The governor said leadership succession in Abia should be determined by competence and merit rather than a system where political leaders seek to remain in control through their preferred successors.

Otti expressed confidence that his administration would leave behind a stronger political and governance structure capable of producing a successor who can build on its achievements.

“The most important thing you can give a people is good governance,” the governor said, adding that citizens who experience effective leadership would be less willing to accept a return to poor governance.

He said he had no intention of controlling the state politically after leaving office.

“I don’t want to be a godfather, and I don’t tolerate godfathers,” Otti said.

According to him, the process of choosing a successor should involve identifying the most capable candidate and allowing stakeholders to support that individual rather than imposing a predetermined choice.

He also reiterated that he would not pursue another elective position after completing his second term as governor.

Otti argued that political leadership should create room for younger and more qualified Nigerians to take responsibility.

“We should stop this sit-tight. It’s only you. It can’t be only you,” he said, stressing the need to give younger generations opportunities to serve.

The governor said his administration had already begun preparing young people for future leadership through programmes such as the Abia Leadership Academy.

He disclosed that more than 1,080 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 had recently completed the academy’s programme.

Otti said the performance of the participants demonstrated the potential available among young Abians and the importance of preparing them for leadership roles.

He also said his administration remained focused on extending development beyond the major cities after initially concentrating on restoring infrastructure and improving conditions in Aba and Umuahia.

According to the governor, government projects are now being expanded into other parts of the state and will continue until more communities benefit from the ongoing development programme.