President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday welcomed Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in what sources say is part of ongoing discussions concerning the detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.
PUNCH Online reports that Governor Otti arrived at the President’s office dressed in a grey, knee-length traditional attire, accompanied by key aides and officials. Those in attendance included Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu; Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN; and the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.
The visit follows Otti’s recent trip to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, where he met with Kanu, who is currently serving a sentence following his conviction. Officials from the Sokoto State Government facilitated access to the prison.
Speaking to reporters after the Sokoto visit, Governor Otti emphasised that addressing matters surrounding Kanu’s detention remains a priority for his administration. He stressed that the state is pursuing a coordinated and lawful approach to secure the IPOB leader’s release.
“While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I am happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured,” Otti said.
Tuesday’s meeting with President Tinubu is understood to be part of the governor’s ongoing political and legal efforts to resolve the long-running matter. Sources close to the discussions suggest that the engagement may cover possible interventions within the scope of Nigeria’s judicial and executive processes, though official details of the conversation remain confidential.
The meeting also highlights the federal government’s continued engagement with state authorities on sensitive national issues, as well as the growing political and legal interest in Kanu’s case. Observers note that developments in the matter could have broader implications for national security and the political landscape in the Southeast.
Abia State has maintained that all efforts regarding Kanu’s release will adhere strictly to legal frameworks, signalling a commitment to due process while seeking resolution to a case that has attracted significant national and international attention.
Rep visits Nnamdi Kanu in detention, resolves access restriction to his lawyers
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the House of Reps member Obi Aguocha visited Nnamdi Kanu in detention, successfully resolving restrictions on his legal team's access to the IPOB leader.
The visit aimed to find a political solution to Kanu’s continued detention, addressing legal and health concerns raised by his lawyers.