Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said he is not against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, adding that he also wants to be re-elected for a second term in office.

“I am not in a position to oppose the candidacy of the President. I am not running for President,” Mr Otti said during the March edition of his monthly media chat on Friday.

The Abia governor said he cannot push for his own re-election while opposing another person’s reelection bid.

“Why would I oppose his presidency? I am also seeking a second term. So would it be appropriate for me to rationalise my answer and say that somebody else should not have his? So it has nothing to do with APC/PDP, or whatever you call it. It is a natural thing,” Mr Otti said.

He added, “Again, sometimes people, when they want to claim opposition, try to heat up the system by creating in their imagination problems that do not exist.”

Addressing speculations that he could dump his party over a lingering internal crisis, Mr Otti said the issue has been resolved.

“The Labour Party had a problem, but that problem has been resolved by the Supreme Court. And INEC has also respected the decision of the Supreme Court,” Mr Otti said.

He added, “So the party is back on its feet and will be strong very soon. As we speak, registration is ongoing. And those who haven’t registered should please register. You still have a window to register. We will be having our congresses leading all the way to the convention any time from now. So, in the light of this superior information, the question about defecting does not arise.”