Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he will retire from active politics after completing his tenure in office, stressing the need to create opportunities for younger Nigerians to take up leadership positions.

Otti made the remarks on Thursday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, while speaking on good governance and succession in leadership.

According to the governor, citizens who have experienced effective governance would resist any attempt to return to poor leadership.

“Once I finish this one, I will retire. Why do I say so? I want the young people to take over,” Otti said.

“The most important thing you can give a people is good governance.”

The governor also dismissed any intention of becoming a political godfather after leaving office, stating that he neither supports nor tolerates such a practice.

“I don’t want to be a godfather. And I don’t tolerate godfathers,” he said.

Otti maintained that once people benefit from good governance, they would not be willing to return to what he described as the old order.

“So, if you are afraid that we will go back to Egypt, it will never happen. We will all sit down, look at everybody and say, who is the best person for this job? And all of us will agree, and we will campaign for him; he will win. We will take a back seat,” he said.

The governor also ruled out any future ambition to serve in the Senate or seek another political office after his tenure.

“I keep saying it, I’m not interested in anything else. I don’t even want to go to the Senate. I’m not interested,” Otti stated.

He said his decision was informed by his desire to see younger people emerge as leaders, urging political office holders to avoid remaining in power indefinitely.

“We should stop this sit-tight; it’s only you. Not only you, it also can’t be only you. There are smarter, more trained, better trained, better equipped younger people. Our children, we need to give them opportunities,” Otti said.