Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has dismissed claims that his visit to the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was motivated by political ambition. Speaking on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia while receiving members of the Abia Diaspora Commission and the Abia Global Medical Mission 2025, Otti described such claims as unfounded and misleading, stressing that the visit was purely driven by the need for dialogue and peace.
The governor was reacting to a viral video in which an individual criticised his visit to Kanu, suggesting it was linked to future political plans. Otti maintained that differing opinions were normal in a democracy but clarified that disagreement did not automatically validate one position over another. He categorically stated that he had no intention of seeking any elective office after completing his tenure as governor, ruling out ambitions for the presidency, vice presidency, or the Senate.
Otti further explained that his engagement on Kanu’s matter predated the recent visit, revealing that he initiated discussions at the highest level about the IPOB leader’s situation two years ago. He said visiting Kanu was appropriate, noting that Kanu hails from Abia State and Umuahia North Local Government Area. While acknowledging that the case was before the courts, the governor argued that there was also room for administrative intervention, adding that dialogue should not be misconstrued as support for Nigeria’s disintegration.
Reiterating his long-standing opposition to violent agitation, Otti said conflicts ultimately end at negotiation tables rather than on battlefields. He condemned Operation Python Dance and stressed that peace, security, and dialogue remain central to his approach to governance. The governor assured residents that his administration would firmly confront criminal violence while responsibly pursuing peace, insisting that Abia State must remain safe and stable for development and economic growth.
