Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has expressed optimism that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi kanu, will be released in the near future.
Speaking on Friday during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Abia, represented at the event by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Otti disclosed that discussions with the president on Kanu’s case had been encouraging.
“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr President. He is favourably disposed to it, and I am sure that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom,” Otti told the gathering.
The governor, who described his relationship with Tinubu as longstanding, added: “Mr President and I have been friends for decades. He is a man of his word. If he makes a promise, he keeps it.”
Delivering Tinubu’s message, Umahi called on residents of the South-East to remain peaceful and united as leaders work to secure a political resolution to Kanu’s trial.
“I ask the people of the South-East to unite and come together,” he said.
“I want to assure Senator Abaribe and Governor Otti that the governors of the South-East are working very seriously. They are exploring a political solution together with our senators, House of Representatives members, and ministers.”
He further assured that Tinubu’s administration is committed to addressing the issue through peaceful means.
“I am confident that with the love of the president for the South-East, a resolution will come to pass. But we must remain law-abiding and recognise that this president has placed the South-East at the centre of national activities.”
Nnamdi Kanu, who holds Nigerian and British citizenship, was first arrested in 2015 on treason charges.
He was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country during his trial.
In 2021, he was rearrested in Kenya and controversially extradited to Nigeria, where his case has continued with repeated delays.
Late last month, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his no-case submission, ordering him to open his defence on terrorism-related charges.
His lawyers have raised concerns about his deteriorating health in detention, urging the court to transfer him to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical care.
Despite the legal challenges, governors in the South-East have consistently pressed for his release, arguing that it could help reduce tensions in the region.
During his visit, Umahi also inaugurated the newly remodeled Dr. Michael Okpara Auditorium and a number of completed road projects in Abia, executed by Otti’s administration.
