Second Term: I’ll Consult with My God”, Says Otti as He Keeps Everyone Guessing
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has once again kept political watchers and his supporters on tenterhooks by refusing to confirm whether he intends to seek a second term in office.
Speaking at a press event on Sunday at the Government House in Umuahia, the governor said he would “go and consult with [his] God” before making a decision on his political future, leaving the question of his 2027 gubernatorial bid hanging.
Governor Otti, who assumed office in May 2023 on the Labour Party platform, was responding to direct questions about his plans for the upcoming elections. His statement was brief but impactful, signaling that any announcement will come only after spiritual reflection and personal consideration.
“I will go and consult with my God. When He speaks, I will speak,” Otti said, smiling but firm, in a response that sent ripples through political circles in Abia State and beyond.
Since taking office, Governor Otti has been widely praised for his efforts to tackle some of Abia’s most pressing challenges, including infrastructure decay, economic stagnation, and bureaucratic inefficiency.
His administration has focused on improving roads, boosting local commerce, and reforming the public sector to increase transparency and efficiency.
These efforts have earned him a significant following among urban residents, civil servants, and business communities.
However, his ambiguous stance on the 2027 elections has sparked speculation about his future. Political analysts suggest that Otti’s reluctance to commit publicly may be a strategic move to maintain leverage within his party and among stakeholders, especially given the intense political jockeying expected in the run-up to the polls.
Dr. Chinedu Eze, a political analyst based in Umuahia, noted, “Governor Otti’s response is classic political prudence. By choosing to frame his decision as one guided by divine consultation, he avoids alienating any faction prematurely. It keeps his options open, and more importantly, keeps his supporters hopeful.”
Among Otti’s supporters, the response to his statement has been mixed. While some express patience and respect for the governor’s desire to seek spiritual guidance, others are eager for clarity to rally around his potential campaign.
“I believe the governor knows best. He has shown humility, and that’s admirable. But we also need to plan and prepare, so we hope he will make his decision soon,” said Chiamaka Ugo, a local trader in Umuahia.
Conversely, political opponents have seized on the uncertainty to amplify calls for alternatives, framing Otti’s hesitation as indecisiveness.
Leaders from rival parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have ramped up their political engagements in the state, sensing an opportunity to reclaim lost ground.
The political calendar in Abia is already heating up, with party stakeholders and aspirants positioning themselves for the 2027 gubernatorial elections.
The Labour Party, under which Governor Otti was elected, is keen to maintain its hold on the state, but internal dynamics and regional interests remain complex.
Political watchers will be closely monitoring the governor’s next moves, as any formal declaration is likely to shape the electoral narrative in Abia.
For now, the people of Abia remain in suspense, awaiting the moment when Governor Otti’s spiritual consultation will translate into a definitive political path.
