(Abia Governor Alex Otti. Photo by The Sun Nigeria)
Abia Governor Alex Otti says he will not become a political godfather or pick a successor when he finishes his second term in 2031.
Otti made the pledge on Thursday in Umuahia while welcoming former SDP candidate Ngozi Johnson Chukwunenye and her supporters to the Labour Party.
The governor said leadership succession should be based on merit and competence, not a culture of leaders clinging to power.
Once people experience good governance, they will not allow a return to poor management.
Otti said whoever succeeds him will be better equipped to lead.
He stressed that Nigeria should stop allowing individuals to hold onto power indefinitely and give younger, better-trained people the chance to lead.
The governor reaffirmed he will not seek any elective office after his second term ends.
He said his administration is grooming future leaders through the Abia Leadership Academy.
More than 1,080 young people aged 16 to 25 recently graduated from the academy.
Otti noted that development cannot happen overnight. His government first focused on restoring Aba and Umuahia before moving projects to other areas.
He said the administration will continue spreading development across the state.
