Abia State Governor Alex Otti has spoken out following the life imprisonment sentence handed down to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu by Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement released Saturday, Otti revealed he’s been working behind the scenes long before the court ruling, putting in place what he describes as a strategic plan to secure Kanu’s freedom.
According to the governor, he’s already reached “some agreements” with senior federal officials during visits to Abuja.
He says Kanu was personally briefed on these developments when Otti visited him at the DSS facility earlier this year.
Otti didn’t hold back in his criticism of how the federal government has handled IPOB-related issues, arguing that poor management has only made things worse.
He warned that letting the situation drag on could “create a bigger monstrous situation” for Nigeria.
Reflecting on 2017, when the military raided Kanu’s family home in Afaraukwu, Otti said he had urged dialogue over force then, and still believes that’s the right approach now.
The governor acknowledged the pain and shock the sentence has caused across Abia State and the broader South East.
He’s calling on residents to stay calm and avoid anything that might derail the quiet diplomacy currently underway.
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I’m happy to inform you that I have activated, and will continue to work on, the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured,” Otti stated.
He also had words for politicians looking to score points off Kanu’s situation, urging them to focus instead on supporting efforts for his release.
Otti said he’s open to working with anyone genuinely interested in a peaceful solution, stressing that continued dialogue with federal authorities remains the best way forward.
“Without doubt, this development has broken a lot of our people and created an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia and beyond,” he admitted.
Wrapping up his statement, the governor emphasized that real leadership means showing wisdom and restraint, not force.
Based on the conversations already happening, he assured the public that “a resolution is in sight” and pledged to keep working until peace returns to the South East.
