The political scene in Abia State is changing ahead of the 2027 elections. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said Governor Alex Otti is supporting President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid. The Abia State Government confirmed the governor's good relationship with the president but did not confirm his support.
Okey Kanu, Abia's commissioner for information, told PREMIUM TIMES that while Mr Otti's relationship with Mr Tinubu is "very cordial," any clear statement about the president's 2027 ambition should come from the governor himself.
"At an appropriate time, such confirmation would come from my governor," Mr Kanu said.
The Abia government's response did not clearly support or oppose Mr Wike's claim. This leaves open if Mr Otti's growing engagement with the presidency will lead to a public endorsement of Mr Tinubu in 2027.
Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday. He defended his Rainbow Coalition's support for Mr Tinubu. He argued that supporting Mr Tinubu does not mean politicians must support the APC or abandon their party's candidates in other elections.
"Alex Otti is supporting the president; by what he said, does it mean that the Labour Party will not field candidates for the National Assembly election?" Mr Wike asked.
His comment puts Mr Otti with other non-APC governors who have a close relationship with Mr Tinubu as part of the political discussions ahead of 2027. Mr Wike has often stated that his coalition aims to secure Mr Tinubu's re-election without stopping other parties from running candidates in governorship and legislative elections.
‘Confirmation will come later’
When asked by PREMIUM TIMES if Mr Otti was indeed supporting Mr Tinubu, Mr Kanu did not give a clear answer. Instead, he emphasized the "very cordial" relationship between the governor and the president.
"At an appropriate time, such confirmation would come from my governor," the commissioner said. He argued there is little reason to doubt the relationship between Mr Otti and Mr Tinubu, noting the governor's dealings with the federal government. He also mentioned the recent visit of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to Abia.
During her visit to Akwete in Ukwa East Local Government Area, Mrs Tinubu announced a N2 billion intervention for Akwete Cooperative Women. Mr Kanu said the program was organized by the Abia government and showed the governor's relationship with the presidency.
"All those things were packaged by my governor. It is not just the president; his wife (First Lady) will come to the state and do what she did; you can imagine the relationship the governor has with the president.
"Actions speak louder than words," he said. He added that Mr Otti's actions should show the president where the governor stands regarding the president’s political plans.
The commissioner also recalled when some APC politicians accused Mr Otti of opposing Mr Tinubu’s re-election. The governor responded by saying he had nothing against the president and acknowledged Mr Tinubu's right to seek another term.
Mr Kanu maintained that a clear declaration of support for Mr Tinubu had not come from the governor. This distinction is important.
Mr Otti won the 2023 Abia governorship election under the Labour Party and continues to identify with the party. The Abia government had also dismissed claims that the governor defected to the APC. Mr Kanu described those claims as false and stated that Mr Otti remains a "committed and proud member" of the Labour Party.
Otti’s balancing act
The latest exchange comes amid growing speculation about Mr Otti’s political plans for 2027. While the governor has kept good relations with Mr Tinubu and the federal government, he has not openly endorsed the president's re-election like some governors, including Anambra’s Charles Soludo and Osun’s Ademola Adeleke.
This leaves his political position open to interpretation. Mr Wike’s statement raises a question that Mr Kanu’s response does not fully answer: will Mr Otti’s good relationship with Mr Tinubu lead to a public endorsement of the president in 2027?
Kalu’s surprising change
The uncertainty is happening alongside shifting political positions among some Abia politicians. Abia North Senator Orji Kalu had previously declared that he would work to ensure the APC wins in Abia in 2027.
Mr Otti responded by saying he never asked Mr Kalu for support in his re-election and accused the senator of trying to replace his administration. The governor also promised to support the Labour Party’s candidate against Mr Kalu in the 2027 Senate election.
However, Mr Kalu seems to have softened his stance. During a Channels Television interview, he was asked if Mr Tinubu could win Abia while Mr Otti remains governor. He answered yes.
When asked if Mr Otti would return for a second term, Mr Kalu again said yes. This was surprising as it was different from his earlier claim to deliver Abia to the APC in 2027.
Another APC federal lawmaker from the state, Chris Nkwonta, also reportedly expressed support for Mr Otti’s re-election during the First Lady’s visit to Akwete, according to Vanguard Newspaper. This led to an internal reaction from the Abia APC, which issued a 14-day ultimatum to Mr Kalu and Mr Nkwonta to apologize or face punishment. The party later pardoned Mr Kalu and other members accused of anti-party actions after its primary election and reconciliation process.
These events show how political alliances in Abia are shifting ahead of 2027. For now, Mr Wike has put Mr Otti among those supporting Mr Tinubu. But Mr Kanu has neither confirmed nor denied this claim. He says Mr Otti has a "very cordial" relationship with the president and that any clear statement about the 2027 presidential race will come from the governor himself. Until then, Mr Wike’s statement remains a political claim and not a confirmed endorsement from Mr Otti.
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