“Let’s Fix Today First”—Otti Warns Against 2027 Election Talks

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has cautioned political actors against premature conversations about the 2027 general elections, describing such discussions as attempts to “play God.” He emphasized the uncertainty of the future, urging Nigerians to focus on present realities.

“People in 2025 are talking of 2027 (elections). You can’t even talk about 2027 because there is no guarantee that you would go beyond 2025,” Otti said on Sunday during a courtesy visit by Senators Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) and Chris Adighije.

The Labour Party governor stressed that only the present is certain, adding, “Today is certain; tomorrow is a promise. Next tomorrow is gambling. Let us talk about today. When tomorrow comes, and we are lucky to be part of it, we can hold the discussion.”

Otti also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, acknowledging their current hardship but defending their necessity for long-term national recovery.

“When you talk about supporting President Tinubu, the President and I are very good friends. And our friendship predates party politics and current positions,” he stated. “We agree on many issues, and naturally, we know where we disagree. But when it comes to the economy, what Mr. President is doing has always been my position.”

His remarks come as significant, given that Otti remains the only sitting governor from the Labour Party, while Kalu and Adighije are senior figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on governance, Otti said his administration has “hit the reset button and started work without looking back,” focusing on delivering dividends of democracy rather than engaging in political feuds.

He praised Senator Kalu’s past efforts in infrastructural development, especially in Aba, recalling how his late mother admired Kalu’s leadership as governor. “I don’t want to talk about how things went wrong. What is important is that we are working,” he concluded.

Otti’s comments come amid growing political maneuvering ahead of 2027, with some stakeholders already positioning themselves, despite widespread public discontent over economic conditions and governance challenges.