Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has reassured the people of Abia that the conviction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is not the end of the fight for his freedom.
In a personally signed statement released on Saturday, Otti said he had already activated a strategy to secure Kanu’s release and would continue to push until a positive outcome is achieved.
This follows the Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on November 20, 2025, which found Kanu guilty of terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Otti noted that the ruling deeply shocked many Abians, saying it had “created an atmosphere of sorrow and pain across the state and beyond.”
The governor also recalled his past criticism of the military invasion of Kanu’s family home in September 2017, describing the operation as avoidable and excessive. He referenced an article he wrote at the time titled “Operation Python Dance: Killing a Fly With a Sledge Hammer,” where he warned that force was the wrong approach to resolving IPOB-related tensions.
According to Otti, poor handling of the issue from the start contributed to the crisis the region faces today. He stressed that a more humane, diplomatic route is necessary to achieve lasting peace.
Otti revealed that since December 2023, he had been holding high-level discussions with federal authorities to pursue an alternative resolution strategy regarding Kanu’s case. He said progress was slowed by the lengthy court process but believes that now that judgment has been delivered, the agreed diplomatic approach can resume fully.
He confirmed that he had explained this strategy to Kanu during a visit to him in DSS custody earlier in the year.
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“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I want to assure you that I have activated and will continue to work on the agreed strategy until his freedom is secured,” Otti said.
The governor also appealed for calm, urging Abians to avoid inflammatory statements or actions that could jeopardize ongoing negotiations. He expressed confidence that, with the assurances he has received from the Federal Government, a peaceful resolution is within reach.
He also warned politicians against exploiting Kanu’s situation for personal gain, insisting that this is a time for unity, not political opportunism.
Otti reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing peace in the South East through wisdom, diplomacy, and constructive engagement, stating that the ultimate goal is a stable and secure region where everyone can thrive.
