Lamido Accuses Gov Otti of Political Double-Dealing, Demands Clarity of Loyalty
Dr. Bashir Lamido, leader of the Arewa Summit International and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, of political duplicity, alleging that the governor is offering conflicting assurances of loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
In a statement released on Monday, Lamido claimed that Governor Otti publicly projects goodwill towards President Tinubu while privately aligning with former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
He described the governor’s political posture as insincere and misleading.
“Governor Otti is not being straightforward,” Lamido said. “You cannot claim to support President Tinubu and at the same time work against his political interest.
If Otti truly supports the President and desires his success and possible second term, the honourable thing is to openly align with the APC, just as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has done.”
Lamido alleged that Otti’s refusal to join the ruling party stems from fear of internal party discipline and power-sharing, arguing that the governor prefers operating independently to maintain unrestricted control over state resources.
He further claimed that such resources are being used to settle political obligations, particularly to Rotimi Amaechi, whom he accused of financing Otti’s electoral victory.
The Arewa Summit International leader also criticised the Abia State government’s media team, accusing them of launching coordinated attacks on former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, following what he described as a harmless comment by Kalu in support of President Tinubu.
“There was absolutely no justification for such hostility,” Lamido said. “Senator Orji Uzor Kalu deserves respect, not insults. Governor Otti owes him a public apology for the conduct of his media aides.”
Questioning Governor Otti’s democratic tolerance, Lamido suggested that the governor appears overly sensitive to criticism and opposition voices.
“Why is he so worried about opposition? Why does every comment trigger panic?” he asked, warning that such reactions could signal intolerance for dissent.
Lamido concluded by urging Governor Otti to embrace political transparency and honesty, cautioning that sustained ambiguity and what he termed a “know-it-all attitude” could erode the governor’s credibility, isolate him politically, and ultimately limit him to a single term in office.
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