Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he will retire from politics after completing his tenure, ruling out any future bid for the presidency or other elective positions.

Otti made the declaration during an interview with Arise TV on Friday while discussing the political activities of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and whether he could consider seeking the presidency in the future.

The governor said he had no dispute with Obi and would allow him to campaign in Abia if he decided to do so.

Otti also extended the same position to other politicians, saying any individual seeking to campaign in the state would be free to do so.

“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,” he said.

He added that Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any other politician would be allowed to campaign in Abia, describing such political activities as part of the democratic process.

“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,” Otti said.

Responding directly to whether he would consider contesting the presidency if the opportunity arose, the governor said he had already decided to withdraw from elective politics after completing his assignment in Abia.

“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,” he said.

Otti explained that he views his time in office as an opportunity to fulfil what he described as a calling rather than a stepping stone to another political position.

“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,” the governor said.