Kanu’s Life Sentence Not End Of Road – Gov Otti

Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reassured the populace that a mechanism has been set in motion to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing the Federal High Court judgment as “not yet the end of the road.”

Mazi Kanu was on Thursday convicted of terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja, a development that Governor Otti stressed has thrown Abia State and the entire Southeast into shock and sorrow.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday, the governor stated that the news had “broken a lot of our people,” but assured that a diplomatic mechanism earlier agreed with the Federal Government to pursue Kanu’s release had now been activated following the conclusion of the court process.

Dr Otti recalled that he has consistently advocated dialogue as the best route to addressing the IPOB issue, dating back to 2017, when Kanu’s home was invaded.

The governor recalled condemning the incident at the time and warned in his ThisDay publication, “Operation Python Dance: Killing a Fly with a Sledgehammer,” that such a forceful approach would escalate rather than resolve the crisis.

He said, “The poor management of the IPOB issue at the incubation stage created the problem we have today. Leadership requires emotional intelligence, restraint and tolerance rather than force and violence.”

Governor Otti revealed that as far back as December 22, 2023, he began engaging top federal authorities to explore a political and diplomatic solution. According to him, certain agreements were reached, but they depended on the timely conclusion of Kanu’s trial.

“Now that judgment has been delivered, the alternative resolution will kick in,” Otti highlighted, indicating that he personally discussed the strategy with Kanu during a visit to him in DSS custody earlier in the year.

Dr Otti emphasised his commitment to pursuing the agreed path until Kanu regains freedom, expressing the readiness to work with other well-meaning Nigerians who genuinely want a peaceful resolution.

The governor appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid statements or actions that might inflame tensions or jeopardise ongoing talks with the Federal Government.

“With the assurances I have received, a resolution is in sight and Mazi Kanu will receive his freedom,” he submitted.

He cautioned politicians against exploiting Kanu’s ordeal for political gain, insisting that the focus should be on unity and a collective push for a peaceful outcome.

Governor Otti, reiterated his resolve to secure Kanu’s release, assuring that he would continue to pursue the matter using “wisdom, high-level dialogue and diplomacy,” with the ultimate goal of restoring lasting peace in  the Southeast geopolitical zone.