By Deborah Nnamdi
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has vowed to intensify efforts toward securing the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, following the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025.
In a statement on Saturday, Otti revealed that a strategy earlier initiated during Kanu’s trial had been reactivated in response to the judgment. He assured the public that the plan—developed in consultation with federal authorities—remains on track.
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu can appeal his conviction, I want to assure the public that I have activated and will continue to pursue the agreed strategy until his freedom is achieved,” the governor said. He noted that some of the agreements were communicated during his visit to Kanu in DSS custody earlier this year.
Otti also criticised the early handling of IPOB-related grievances, arguing that initial missteps contributed to the escalation of tensions. He urged residents to maintain peace and warned politicians against exploiting the situation for political gain.
The governor reiterated his preference for dialogue and diplomacy, recalling his earlier condemnations of the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s family home and his consistent advocacy for non-violent resolution.
He emphasized that alternative resolution agreements reached during Kanu’s trial would now move forward in light of the court’s verdict. Calling for calm across Abia and the wider South East, Otti expressed confidence that, with federal assurances in place, Kanu’s release remains achievable.
He reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a peaceful path to restore stability in the region.
