Otti rules out presidential bid, says he’ll retire after tenure

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ruled out contesting the presidency or any other elective office after completing his tenure as governor.

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Otti said he would retire from politics after his tenure, adding that he did not intend to contest for the Senate, local government chairmanship or any other political office.

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The governor stated this in an interview with Arise TV on Friday while responding to questions about the presidential ambition of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and whether he would consider running for president in the future.

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Otti said he had no disagreement with Obi and that the former governor would be allowed to campaign in Abia if he chose to do so.

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“Oh, absolutely. Anybody that wants to campaign in my state will be allowed. Peter Obi and I are not fighting. Just like there’s nobody I’m fighting.

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“So if he wants to campaign in the state, he will be allowed to campaign. If any other person, even Atiku, if he wants to campaign, he will be allowed to campaign. So that is what democracy is about,” he said.

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Asked whether he would run for president if given the opportunity in the future, Otti said he would retire after completing his tenure.

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“I had said just a few days ago that by the time I’m done with this, I’ll retire. So I’m not going to run for any other thing, not local government chairman, not Senate, not president, no.

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“I think I came to deliver a calling, and that is what I’m doing now. Once I finish it, I’ll retire. And I’m not getting any younger anymore,” he said.

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