Sokoto Government Denies Governor Ahmed Aliyu Accompanied Alex Otti on Visit to Nnamdi Kanu
The Sokoto State Government has firmly denied widespread reports alleging that Governor Ahmed Aliyu accompanied Abia State Governor Alex Otti during his recent visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Custodial Centre.
The clarification came on Friday through a statement issued by Abubakar Bawa, the spokesman to Governor Aliyu, who dismissed the circulating claims as entirely false. According to Bawa, the governor was nowhere near Sokoto at the time the visit occurred.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Ahmed Aliyu was in the Holy Land performing Lesser Hajj as of 30th November 2025, at the time Dr. Otti privately visited Sokoto State,” the statement asserted. The government emphasized that Otti’s visit was a private one and that any insinuation of joint attendance at the custodial facility was misleading.
The statement further explained that Governor Otti was received at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport by selected commissioners and Special Advisers. These officials escorted him to the Sokoto Government House, where he was given the standard courtesies typically offered to visiting state governors. The administration noted that hospitality is a well-established norm in Sokoto.
“As you all know, the people of Sokoto are hospitable. We treat our visitors with utmost respect, irrespective of tribe or religion,” the statement added.
Reaffirming Governor Aliyu’s stance, the government highlighted that he remains committed to the unity of Nigeria and holds a deep respect for constituted authority. The statement described him as a peace-loving and law-abiding leader firmly focused on governance rather than political controversies.
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The controversy stems from a high-profile visit by Governor Otti to Nnamdi Kanu, which has generated public debate due to Kanu’s controversial status and the sensitive political climate surrounding IPOB activities. The organization itself described the visit as “historic” and “surprising,” further fueling public speculation and online commentary.
Governor Otti was accompanied by Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu; the Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN); and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma. The delegation reportedly held a private meeting with the detained separatist leader within the custodial facility.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence following a November 20, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court, which found him guilty of terrorism and other related charges. His incarceration continues to polarize public opinion, drawing reactions from political figures, civil society groups, and online communities.
Public Reactions: Heated Debate and Political Tension
Following the government’s denial, online platforms erupted with mixed reactions. Some users praised the Sokoto government for issuing a clear and unambiguous statement, while others mocked the controversy, pointing out regional political tensions, tribal rivalries, and perceived hypocrisies in Nigeria’s handling of terrorism-related cases.
Certain commenters dismissed the entire matter as political noise, while others used the opportunity to revisit longstanding grievances surrounding IPOB activities and the rhetoric of its supporters. A few users argued that there was no wrongdoing in Governor Otti visiting Kanu, suggesting that honesty about the purpose of the visit would have prevented unnecessary speculation.
Others, however, criticized the optics of a sitting governor meeting a convicted separatist leader, describing it as politically sensitive and potentially provocative.
Despite the heated debates, the Sokoto State Government has reiterated that the claim of Governor Aliyu’s presence at the custodial centre is false and that the public should disregard such reports.
As discussions continue, the incident illustrates how quickly political narratives can spread and how regional sensitivities remain deeply intertwined with national issues surrounding security, governance, and identity in Nigeria.