Abia State Governor Alex Otti has firmly rejected claims that his recent trip to see Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was fueled by political ambition. Speaking on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, the governor said his decision to visit the detained IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre was motivated solely by a desire to promote peace, dialogue and stability in the region, not personal political interests.
Reacting to a viral video that questioned the purpose of his Sokoto visit, Otti explained that diverse opinions are part of democratic life and do not necessarily reflect the truth about his intentions. He emphasised that he has no plans to pursue any political office after completing his current tenure as governor and reiterated that he intends to retire from public office once his term ends.
During the event, which saw the governor receive members of the Abia Diaspora Commission and the state’s Global Medical Mission 2025 team, Otti highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving lingering conflicts and fostering peace in Abia State and the wider South-East region. He stressed that his engagement with Kanu was part of broader efforts to encourage understanding and reduce tensions.
The governor’s clarification comes against the backdrop of Kanu’s recent life sentence on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court, a development that has drawn significant public attention and debate.
