Governor Otti Clarifies Visit to Tinubu, Says Meeting Focused Solely on Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has firmly denied speculation that his recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was part of a plan to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Otti clarified that the purpose of his meeting with the president was singular and straightforward: to discuss the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The governor’s response came after comments by Charles Ogbonna, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State and a chieftain of the APC. Ogbonna alleged that Otti’s visit had nothing to do with Kanu and was instead a covert attempt to negotiate his entry into the ruling party. The claim quickly circulated online, prompting strong reactions and political speculation.
In a detailed statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti rejected the allegation as “laughable, petty, and irresponsible.” According to Otti, the issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention remains a deeply important matter for his administration, and his visit to the president was a continuation of long-standing engagements with the federal government over the matter.
The governor explained that he had met with Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to secure his release. Following that visit, he proceeded to meet President Tinubu in Aso Rock. Otti stressed that the meeting was both positive and productive, noting that the president was “gracious and generous” in his disposition.
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Ekeoma’s statement emphasised that the matter of Nnamdi Kanu was the only reason for the trip. The governor’s team dismissed suggestions of defection as a deliberate distraction designed to twist the narrative and sow confusion among the public.
“At the risk of sounding immodest, any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would roll out the drums and red carpet to welcome him,” the statement said. It added that several respected APC leaders have repeatedly expressed interest in having Otti in their fold, not the other way around.
Otti’s camp also criticised Charles Ogbonna’s claims as a mixture of political bitterness and deliberate misinformation. They stressed that the governor does not need Kanu’s issue for political survival or strategy, noting that Otti didn’t campaign with Kanu’s name in 2023 and has no intention of doing so in 2027.
Rather, Otti believes that securing Kanu’s release would contribute significantly to restoring peace, improving security, and promoting healing across the South-East region. He insists the issue transcends politics and is rooted in justice and long-term regional stability.
Meanwhile, reactions from the public have been sharply divided. Supporters of Nnamdi Kanu have welcomed Otti’s continued advocacy, describing it as a bold and necessary step toward peace. Critics, however, remain sceptical—some argue Kanu’s release is unlikely, while others claim it could embolden separatist sentiments.
Several commenters online dismissed the governor’s statements entirely, arguing that the federal government has no incentive to release Kanu. Others insisted political motives may still be involved, suggesting that Kanu’s detention remains a powerful political tool ahead of the next election cycle.
Despite the mixed reactions, Governor Otti maintains that his visit to the president was motivated solely by the need to address what he considers an urgent humanitarian and security issue. He has vowed to continue engaging the federal government until a resolution is achieved.