- Nnamdi Kanu: Why Governor Otti Met Tinubu.
- Abia government dismisses claims of planned defection to the APC.
- Ekeoma says political attacks stem from past party disagreements.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has clarified that the governor’s Tuesday visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa was solely to discuss issues relating to Nnamdi Kanu.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Governor Otti had held a private meeting with the President on Tuesday, prompting political speculation after a former Abia commissioner, Charles Ogbonnaya, alleged that the governor travelled to Abuja to negotiate a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding on Wednesday, Ekeoma dismissed the claim as false, insisting that the engagement with the President focused entirely on the continued detention of Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
He explained that Governor Otti met President Tinubu following his visit to Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on November 30, 2025, adding that it was part of ongoing discussions with the Federal Government over the past two years.
According to him, “The issue of Kanu was the only subject matter that took Governor Otti to Aso Rock and, to the glory of God, the meeting was positive and fruitful, as the President was gracious and generous.”
Ekeoma said it was important to correct Ogbonnaya’s claim because matters concerning Kanu’s release are sensitive and significant to the Abia State Government. He added that the former commissioner’s persistent criticism of the governor stems from Otti’s decision to leave their former political party during the 2023 elections.
He further challenged Ogbonnaya to identify those he claimed the governor betrayed and explain how such alleged betrayal occurred.
Responding to additional claims, Ekeoma said, “Ogbonnaya’s allegation that Governor Otti went to lobby to join the APC is petty, ignoble, laughable and irresponsible. Any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would gladly welcome him. Many respected APC leaders are appealing to him to join because they know he is not a liability.”
He also argued that Ogbonnaya’s attacks lacked consistency, noting that the former commissioner abandoned the PDP’s presidential candidate shortly after the 2023 poll results despite his earlier open support.
Ekeoma added that it was contradictory for Ogbonnaya to accuse the governor of politicising Kanu’s case while simultaneously expressing anger that Otti is engaging the Federal Government to secure the IPOB leader’s release.
