Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that his recent visit to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre was not connected to any political plan or future ambition. He spoke in Umuahia on Friday while receiving members of the Abia Diaspora Commission and the medical team of the Abia Global Medical Mission 2025 at the Government House.
Otti reacted to a video circulating online in which a man criticised his decision to visit Kanu and linked it to alleged political interests. The governor said such opinions were part of democracy and that disagreement did not mean one side was automatically right. He explained that his action was guided by the need to promote peace and dialogue, not by plans to seek another political office.
The governor said he had no intention of contesting any election after completing his tenure. According to him, once his work as governor ends, he will retire from public life and allow younger people to take over leadership roles. He dismissed claims that his actions were tied to an Igbo presidency, describing such views as based on wrong assumptions, since he would not be seeking any position after leaving office.
Otti also explained that he began discussions at the highest level about Kanu’s situation two years ago. He said visiting Kanu was appropriate because Kanu is from Abia State, specifically Umuahia North Local Government Area. He added that while the matter is before the courts, there is still room for administrative steps that do not interfere with the judiciary.
The governor restated his opposition to violent agitation and recalled that he had criticised the military’s Operation Python Dance in the past. He said dialogue does not mean support for breaking up the country, but rather a peaceful way to address complex problems. He maintained that conflicts usually end through talks and not prolonged violence.
Speaking on security, Otti warned that criminal groups often take advantage of insecurity to harm innocent people. He said his government would pursue peace through dialogue but would also respond firmly to any form of violence in the state. He assured residents and businesses that his administration remains committed to keeping Abia safe and stable, stressing that peace is necessary for development and progress.