Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed optimism that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will soon regain his freedom, revealing that ongoing discussions with President Bola Tinubu are yielding positive results.
Otti made this known on Friday during President Tinubu’s one-day working visit to Abia State, where the President was represented by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi. Speaking at the event, the governor disclosed that he has been actively engaging the President on Kanu’s case and is confident of a breakthrough.
“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr President. He is favourably disposed to it, and I am sure that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom,” Otti stated.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and extradition from Kenya. His continued detention has remained a major concern for many in the South-East region, sparking calls for a political resolution to the matter.
Governor Otti, who described his long-standing personal relationship with President Tinubu, expressed confidence that the President would honour his commitments. “Mr President and I have been friends for decades. Whatever he wants to do, he will tell you, and if he will not, he will say so. Having made promises, I am sure he will keep them,” he added.
Representing the President, Minister Umahi appealed to residents of the South-East to remain united and law-abiding while political efforts to resolve the matter continue.
“I ask the people of the South-East to unite and come together. As your brother, I have listened to the messages for Mr President and the comments of the governor of Abia State,” Umahi said.
“I want to assure Senator Abaribe and Governor Otti that the South-East governors are working very seriously. They are exploring a political solution together with our senators, House of Representatives members, and ministers. I am confident that with the love of the President for the South-East, a peaceful resolution will come to pass,” he added.
Umahi also noted that President Tinubu has placed the South-East at the centre of national activities, urging the people to show appreciation and continue to support peace-building efforts.
Nnamdi Kanu’s case remains one of Nigeria’s most sensitive political and legal issues, but Friday’s assurances from Governor Otti have renewed hope for a possible resolution through political dialogue.
