By John Umeh
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed strong optimism that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will soon regain his freedom.
Otti made the remark on Friday during a one-day official visit to Abia State by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
According to the governor, discussions with President Tinubu over Kanu’s detention are ongoing and yielding positive signals.
“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr President. He is favourably disposed to it, and I am sure that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom,” Otti said.
The governor also spoke about his long-standing relationship with President Tinubu, adding, “Mr President and I have been friends for decades. Whatever he wants to do, he will tell you, and if he will not, he will say so. Having made promises, I am sure he will keep them.”
Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, appealed to residents of the South-East to remain peaceful and united as efforts toward a political resolution progress.
“I ask the people of the South-East to unite and come together. As your brother, I have listened to the messages for Mr President and the comments of the governor of Abia State,” Umahi said.
He further disclosed that South-East governors, lawmakers, and federal ministers are working collectively to secure a political solution to Kanu’s case.
“I want to assure Senator Abaribe and Governor Otti that the governors of the South-East are working very seriously. They are exploring a political solution together with our senators, House of Representatives members, and ministers,” Umahi added.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to peaceful resolution, Umahi assured that President Tinubu’s administration is prioritising the South-East in its national agenda.
“I am confident that with the love of the president for the South-East, a peaceful resolution will come to pass. But we must remain law-abiding, appreciative, and recognise that this president has placed the South-East at the centre of national activities,” he concluded.
