Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has disclosed that his administration has activated a previously agreed-upon strategy aimed at securing the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Nnamdi Kanu. The governor said the plan, which he initiated earlier during Kanu’s trial, is now being reinforced and pushed forward with renewed commitment.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti assured the public that concrete steps had already been taken behind the scenes. He emphasized that the goal remained unchanged: ensuring Kanu’s freedom through lawful, diplomatic, and political means.
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I am happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured,” Otti said.
According to the governor, part of the ongoing effort includes communicating with key figures in authority at the federal level. He revealed that he had relayed some of the agreements reached during his recent visit to Kanu at the Department of State Services, DSS, detention facility in Abuja, where discussions centered on practical pathways toward resolving the long-standing issue.
Otti also took a critical look at the early handling of the IPoB matter, stating that the lack of sensitivity and tact by authorities contributed significantly to the escalation of tensions over the years.
“The poor management of the IPoB issue at the incubation stage created the problem we have today. We cannot allow it to linger further and create a bigger, more complicated situation for us,” he said, noting that the human, socio-political, and economic impacts of the crisis have been deeply felt across the South East.
The governor urged political actors to avoid exploiting Kanu’s plight for political gain, describing such behaviour as irresponsible and counterproductive. He appealed to all stakeholders to support sincere efforts toward achieving peace and justice.
“May I caution politicians who have positioned themselves to play petty and dirty politics with the travails of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to jettison the idea, and rather work with us to secure his freedom,” he stated.
Otti further expressed willingness to collaborate with other prominent Nigerians who genuinely seek a long-term solution to the issue. He stressed that diplomatic engagement with the federal government remains the most effective option for achieving meaningful progress.
The governor also reflected on past incidents, particularly the military invasion of Kanu’s family home in September 2017, which resulted in destruction of property and loss of lives. He recalled condemning the incident at the time and advocating dialogue as the best approach to resolving grievances linked to the IPoB movement.
“This development has broken a lot of our people and created an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia and beyond,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for healing, understanding, and constructive engagement to prevent further unrest.
Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of all citizens, insisting that political stability and national unity must remain top priorities.
Comments
Post a Comment