Abia Governor Otti Says He Wants Younger Nigerians to Take Over

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has ruled out contesting for a Senate seat after leaving office, declaring that he intends to quit partisan politics after 2031 rather than seek another elective position.

Otti made the declaration at the weekend while receiving the 2023 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Ngozika Gladys, and her supporters, who defected to the Labour Party (LP) in Umuahia. The governor said his priority was to leave behind a legacy of good governance and ensure the emergence of a successor who would improve on his administration’s achievements. “What I can assure you is that by the time I’m done, the person that will succeed me will be better than me,” Otti said. He added that he was determined to give younger Nigerians the opportunity to lead, declaring: “Once I finish this one, I will retire. I want the young people to take over. We should stop this sit-tight system.”

The governor dismissed speculation that he was positioning himself for the Senate after completing his tenure, insisting that politics should not become a lifelong career driven by the pursuit of public office. He said his focus remains on delivering the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Abia State rather than planning another electoral contest.

Otti emphasized that his administration is committed to completing key infrastructure projects and institutional reforms before the end of its tenure. He argued that leadership should be measured by measurable impact, fiscal discipline and improved public services rather than the number of offices a politician occupies over a lifetime.

His remarks come at a time when conversations about succession and post-governorship ambitions have intensified across several Nigerian states, where many outgoing governors traditionally seek seats in the National Assembly. Otti’s declaration sets him apart from that familiar political pathway by publicly rejecting a Senate ambition.

The governor’s statement arrives as political parties begin positioning for the 2027 general elections, with alliances, defections and succession plans already shaping national discourse. While Otti did not endorse a specific successor, he made clear that his objective is to leave Abia better than he met it and hand over to someone capable of building on his administration’s achievements.

His pledge to step away from politics after 2031 contributes to a broader conversation about leadership renewal in Nigeria. At a time when debates over political succession and generational change are becoming increasingly prominent, Otti’s message challenges the culture of indefinite political ambition and places greater emphasis on legacy, accountability and preparing younger leaders for public service.