Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says concrete steps are already underway to secure the release of the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor revealed that he has reactivated a long-standing plan he initiated during Kanu’s trial to ensure his eventual freedom.
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has the option to appeal his conviction, I am pleased to inform you that I have revived and will continue to pursue the agreed strategy until his release is achieved,” Otti stated.
He noted that during his recent visit to Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja, he conveyed some of the understandings reached with top authorities in the country regarding the matter.
Governor Otti also criticized the early handling of IPOB-related grievances, saying the lack of tact at the onset escalated the situation that now confronts the region. He emphasized that political solutions would be prioritized to bring lasting peace.
“The mishandling of the IPOB issue in its early stages created the crisis we now face. We must not allow it to continue or evolve into something more dangerous,” he warned.
Otti further cautioned political actors against exploiting Kanu’s situation for personal gain. He urged them to work alongside those genuinely committed to resolving the issue through dialogue and engagement with the federal government.
He expressed readiness to collaborate with well-meaning Nigerians who seek a peaceful and compassionate resolution, acknowledging that the federal government, though not the originator of the crisis, has the power to end it decisively.
The governor recalled the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s family home, describing it as an avoidable episode that caused pain and destruction. He said he condemned the incident at the time and called for dialogue as the most effective path to resolving tensions surrounding IPOB.
This latest development, Otti noted, has left many people in Abia and across the region distressed, underscoring the urgent need for a lasting solution.
