- Safiu Kehinde
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has declared the state open to all political parties campaignig for the 2027 Presidential Election as he ruled out any form of restriction.
Otti made the declaration while speaking in an exclusove interview with Arise TV on Friday.
The governor, when asked if he will be restricting certain parties, from campaigning in the state, said he is in good terms with everyone.
“Anybody that wants to campaign in my state is allowed. Peter Obi and I are not fighting. There is nobody that I’m fighting.
“If you come to campaign in the state, you will be allowed.
“If Atiku wants to campaign, he will be allowed to campaign. That is what democracy is about.” Otti said.
The question came under the heels of last months drama involving Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate who was denied access to Benue state.
NPO Reported that armed hoodlums had stormed the road shortly after his arrival in the state.
He was ordered back alongside his entourage, foiling his planned visit to Yelewata town where he intended to greet the victims of the 2025 massacre.
Prior to the Benue drama, thw Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had earlier this year warned Obi against coming to the state as he declared that the state belongs to the All Progressives Congress.
Meanwhile, when asked about possibility of running for presidency after his tenure as Abia governor, Otti dismissed the chances.
He held that he will retire at the end of his tenure with not intention to run for any position.
“I said it jist a few days ago that by the time I’m done, I will retire. I’m not running for any other thing, not local government chairman, Senate, President or whatever.
“I came to deliver a calling and that is what I’m doing now. Once I finish it, I will retire. I’m not getting any younger anymore.” The Abia governor said.
