- He expressed optimism that with sustained dialogue
- Otti urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that may disrupt ongoing high-level negotiations
- The governor disclosed that discussions with top federal authorities began as far back as December 2023
Abia State Governor Alex Otti says the conviction of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not the end of the road, assuring residents that efforts to secure his release are already in motion and will continue.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Otti, in a personal statement issued on Saturday, said the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja has deeply shaken many citizens, but pledged that the quiet engagements he began years ago will now intensify.
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He recalled how the mishandling of the IPOB issue in 2017, including the military invasion of Kanu’s family home, worsened tensions and could have been avoided through dialogue.
Otti referenced his long-standing call for restraint and his ThisDay opinion piece titled Operation Python Dance: Killing a Fly With a Sledge Hammer, where he warned against excessive use of force.
The governor disclosed that discussions with top federal authorities began as far back as December 2023, with certain agreements hinging on the conclusion of Kanu’s trial.
Now that judgment has been delivered, he believes alternative resolution mechanisms can resume fully—an approach he previously explained to Kanu during a DSS visit earlier this year.
Otti urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions that may disrupt ongoing high-level negotiations.
He warned politicians against exploiting the situation for personal gain and affirmed his commitment to pursuing diplomatic, non-violent pathways to ensure lasting peace in the South-East.
He expressed optimism that with sustained dialogue and federal cooperation, Kanu will eventually regain his freedom.
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