Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has vowed not to seek any political office after completing his tenure as governor.
Otti made the declaration while reacting to allegations in a viral video that his recent visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, was motivated by an alleged vice-presidential ambition.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor dismissed the claims, insisting that he harbours no vice-presidential, presidential or senatorial ambition after leaving office.
While acknowledging that divergent opinions are inherent in a democracy, Otti said such opinions are not always correct.
“In the first place, that is the beauty of democracy. People are free to hold their opinions, and we respect people’s opinions. However, holding a different opinion does not mean you are right,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
“One of the issues raised was my ambition after being governor. I have said it before, and I will say it again: by the time I am done with governorship, I will retire.
“So, I do not have presidential ambition, vice-presidential ambition, or senatorial ambition after my tenure. I came on a mission, and when I deliver that mission, I will give way for younger people.
“He was talking about Igbo presidency. I do not even understand what that means. If his thesis is based on that assumption, then it has collapsed, because he will not see me on the ballot,” Otti said.
According to the governor, it is important for political office holders to know when to quit, especially after accomplishing their mandate.
“When you have done what you were asked to do, you must take the exit door and allow others to take over. We have seen people who, after serving as governors, went back to become local government chairmen. That is not what we are here for. We are not cut out for such things,” he said.
Otti also explained his reasons for visiting Kanu, stressing that the move had nothing to do with politics or personal ambition.
“The second issue is about Nnamdi Kanu. I do not want to overplay it in the public space so that it does not derail ongoing discussions. The truth is that exactly 24 months ago, I initiated discussions at the highest level on Nnamdi Kanu.
“Visiting him is the right thing to do because he is from my state. In fact, he comes from this local government, Umuahia North.
“There are different ways to solve a problem. I do not believe that ignoring a problem solves it. I had written extensively on Nnamdi Kanu and Operation Python Dance in 2017 or 2018, and I condemned it. I still condemn it,” the governor said.
He added that while he could not verify some claims attributed to Kanu in the viral video, including allegations of calls for mutiny, “two wrongs do not make a right.”
Otti further noted that beyond legal processes, there are administrative avenues for resolving sensitive national issues.
“I am not a lawyer. Even if the judiciary sentences someone to life imprisonment, that is not the end of the road. There is room for appeal up to the Supreme Court.
“What we are trying to do is to intervene. I am not a supporter of the disintegration of Nigeria. It would be insensitive of me to sit here and say that one of our own should die when there is an opportunity to discuss, negotiate and sue for peace.
“Even people sentenced to death can be pardoned. That is what I am working on. It has nothing to do with any non-existent presidential ambition. Everything is not politics,” Otti said.
