…Declares support for Tinubu, Mbah’s re-election bids
The race for the Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives has received a significant boost as the Director General of Canopy Vanguard, Chief Barr. Benjamin Chidiebere Oti formally announced his bid to represent his people.
Oti, in a statement he personally signed on Friday, also declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State’s re-election.
The billionaire businessman and legal practitioner, known widely in elite business circles as Canopy Group, the mogul’s entry into the race signals a shift in the local political landscape, bringing a heavy-hitting corporate pedigree to the legislative floor.
Chief Oti, who is the visionary behind the Otis conglomerate, which includes Otis Electronics, Otis Furniture, and Otis Premium Properties, has built a reputation as a savvy “property mogul” with a penchant for scale.
In 2023, Oti used the group to mobilise supporters for Governor Mbah, leading to his victory in Uzo-Uwani local government and the only council the Governor won in Enugu North Senatorial District.
He has also pledged to use the Canopy Vanguard to mobilise voters for President Tinubu and Governor Mbah in 2027.
The billionaire also emphasised that his foray into politics is not a search for a title, but a mission to provide a “sturdy canopy” of protection and progress for his people.
He said: “My track record in the private sector is a testament to what vision and discipline can achieve.
“I am now offering that same expertise to the good people of Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani. We are not just looking for a seat at the table; we are looking to build a new table of opportunities for our youth and our farmers.”
By backing both President Tinubu and the performing Governor of Enugu State, Oti positions himself as a candidate capable of navigating the complex corridors of power to attract federal and state projects to his constituency.
With his extensive background in law and commerce, the “Canopy Group” boss enters the race as a formidable frontrunner, promising to transition from building luxury properties to building a legacy of legislative excellence.
