Otti says he has activated strategy to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release

Alex Otti, governor of Abia, says he has activated a strategy aimed at securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his conviction and life sentence by the federal high court in Abuja.

James Omotosho, judge of the federal high court, on November 20, found Kanu guilty of terrorism-related offences and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

In a statement on Saturday, Otti said the plan to secure Kanu’s freedom had been in place since the early stages of the trial.

The governor said he was “happy to inform” the public that he had continued to work on the agreed strategy until the objective is achieved.

He said he had previously visited Kanu in detention and conveyed to him progress on high-level engagements with “the highest authorities” in the country as part of an agreed political roadmap.

“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, 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,” Otti stated.

“The poor management of the IPOB issue at the incubation stage created the problem we have today, hence we cannot allow it to linger and create a bigger monstrous situation for us.”

The Abia governor warned politicians against exploiting Kanu’s current situation, saying such actions could undermine ongoing efforts.

“May I caution politicians who have positioned themselves to play petty and dirty politics with the travails of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to jettison the idea, and rather work with us to secure his freedom,” Otti said.

The governor urged residents of Abia and the wider south-east to remain calm and avoid statements that could jeopardise diplomatic engagements underway.

Otti said he would continue to work with stakeholders and concerned Nigerians to pursue a political and diplomatic resolution with the federal government.

He said he had received assurances from the federal government that a resolution was in sight and that Kanu would eventually regain his freedom.

Meanwhile, Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, says the life sentence handed to Kanu was not surprising.

Abaribe said the federal government’s refusal to extend amnesty to Kanu, unlike other groups, made the outcome inevitable.