Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has informed the people of the state that he has activated an “alternative resolution” strategy to secure the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, following the IPOB leader’s life imprisonment sentence.
The Governor’s announcement comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja found Kanu guilty of terrorism-related offences.
“Without doubt, this development has broken a lot of our people and created an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia and beyond,” Governor Otti stated.
He reiterated his long-standing position on the matter, recalling that he had strongly condemned the 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s family home and had appealed for dialogue to be explored as the best approach to resolving the IPOB issue.
Reflecting on his past engagements, the Governor revealed, “While the trial that led to this conviction lasted, I personally engaged the authorities at the highest level, starting from December 22, 2023, on alternative resolution strategy.”
He provided crucial details on the pre-arranged nature of this plan, stating, “I must state that some agreements were made which were dependent on quick dispensation of the matter at the federal high court. Unfortunately, the matter dragged until this time. I am confident that judgement having been delivered, the alternative resolution will now kick in.”
He further confirmed that the detained IPOB leader was personally briefed on this diplomatic initiative. “It is instructive that this strategy was explained to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu when I visited him while he was in the DSS Custody earlier in the year,” Otti said.
While acknowledging that Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, the Governor focused on the political process. “I’m happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured,” he assured.
He also expressed a willingness to collaborate, noting he is “happy to collaborate with other well-meaning Nigerians who genuinely want this problem resolved, to push for his freedom through the same diplomacy and dialogue with the federal government.”
Governor Otti issued a firm appeal for calm, urging people “to refrain from utterances and actions capable of stoking fear, violence and insecurity and may negatively affect the outcome of the engagements we are already having.”
He based his call for patience on assurances received, stating, “I have no doubt that with the assurances I have received from the Federal Government, a resolution is in sight and Mazi Kanu will receive his freedom.”
The Governor also cautioned against political exploitation of the situation, urging politicians to “jettison the idea, and rather work with us to secure his freedom.”
He concluded with a final assurance of his “unwavering resolve and commitment to genuinely solving this problem with wisdom, high level dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to ensuring that genuine peace returns to the South East.”
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