Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has clarified that his recent visit to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, at Sokoto Correctional Centre was not politically motivated.
Otti made the remarks on Friday when he received the leadership of the Abia Diaspora Commission and the medical team of the Abia Global Medical Mission 2025 at the Government House, Umuahia.
The governor was responding to a video circulating on social media in which a man criticised his visit to Kanu. Otti defended the trip, emphasizing that it was driven by the need for dialogue and the pursuit of peace.
He noted that differing opinions, such as those expressed in the video, are part of a democratic system.
“Disagreement does not automatically make one position right,” he said.
Addressing speculation about his political ambitions, Otti reiterated that he had no plans to contest any office after his tenure as governor.
He stated, “One of the issues he raised in the video was my ambition after serving as governor. I have said this before, sometime in October, when we received representatives of the President, and I will say it again today. By the time I complete my tenure as governor, I will retire from public office. I have no presidential ambition, no vice-presidential ambition, and no senatorial ambition. I came into this office on a mission, and when I deliver that mission, I will step aside and give room to younger people.”
He dismissed claims linking his visit to support for an “Igbo presidency” as baseless. “So when he speaks of an ‘Igbo presidency’, I honestly do not understand what he means. If his argument is based on that assumption, then it has already collapsed, because you will not see my name on any ballot, but my children can contest, and your children can contest. It is important to know when to quit. When you have completed your assignment, you clear the way for others. We have seen people who, after serving as governor, still want to become local government chairmen. That is not who we are, and we are not cut out for such things.”
On his engagement regarding Kanu, Otti revealed that he had initiated discussions at the highest level two years ago.
“The second issue concerns Nnamdi Kanu, and I do not want to put too much into the public space so as not to jeopardise ongoing discussions. The truth is that exactly 24 months ago, I initiated discussions at the highest level regarding Nnamdi Kanu, so visiting him was the right thing to do because he is from my state and indeed, from Umuahia North Local Government Area.”
Otti reiterated his condemnation of Operation Python Dance, saying he had publicly criticised the military action in past writings. He stressed that while Kanu’s case was before the courts, there was still room for administrative intervention.
“There are always ways to solve problems, and I do not believe that ignoring a problem is a solution. I had written extensively about Nnamdi Kanu and Operation Python Dance in 2017 or 2018; I condemned it, and I still condemn it. Some recordings used in the video cannot be verified by me. For instance, where it was claimed that Nnamdi Kanu called for mutiny – I cannot vouch for the authenticity of that. However, I do know that two wrongs do not make a right. When an issue has been approached legally, there is also an administrative window, and that is where I am coming from. I am not competent to challenge the judiciary. I am not a lawyer. If the court has sentenced him, that is the decision of a court of first instance. There is still room for appeal and even a possible journey to the Supreme Court.”
The governor stressed that he has always opposed violent agitation, arguing that conflicts ultimately end in negotiations rather than battles. “I have never seen a war that did not end in negotiation. So, why start a war when you will still end up talking?”
Otti explained that his efforts were aimed at a peaceful resolution and not support for Nigeria’s disintegration.
“We may not all agree, but strong arguments can change minds, and I have always believed that it is better to sit across the table and talk than go to war. I am an apostle of dialogue, not war, and it would be insensitive for me to sit here and say that one of our own, who has been convicted, should die when there is an opportunity to negotiate and pursue peace.”
He added that the critic’s arguments were based on a flawed premise.
On the security challenges facing the nation, Otti warned that criminal elements exploit insecurity to harm innocent citizens. He emphasized that his administration would tackle violence firmly while promoting peace.
“We will continue to do everything possible to ensure peace in this state. There are parts of this country where you cannot come out freely at this time of day, and that is not acceptable. I also know that some people take advantage of the current situation to unleash violence on our people. As I have told those I am negotiating with, if we have peace here and anyone brings violence, we will meet them firmly; but we must act responsibly as a government.”
He concluded by affirming his commitment to maintaining safety and stability in Abia State, urging stakeholders to back dialogue-driven approaches, noting that peace is vital for development.
