Governor Reveals Plans To Free Nnamdi Kanu From Prison

Governor Abia State, Alex Otti, has disclosed that his administration has activated a fresh strategy aimed at securing the release of the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Otti said the process was not new, explaining that he had already initiated a similar strategy during Kanu’s trial, and that his latest efforts were a continuation of earlier engagements.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor said: “While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I’m happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured.”

He revealed that he had communicated some of the agreements reached with “the highest authorities” during his visit to Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja.

Otti blamed the escalation of the IPOB agitation on what he described as the federal government’s mishandling of the issue at its early stage.

“The poor management of the IPOB issue at the incubation stage created the problem we have today, hence we cannot allow it to linger and create a bigger monstrous situation for us,” he lamented.

He added that peace and political solutions remained the best options to resolve the crisis permanently.

Otti cautioned politicians against using Kanu’s ordeal as an opportunity for political gamesmanship.

“May I caution politicians who have positioned themselves to play petty and dirty politics with the travails of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to jettison the idea, and rather work with us to secure his freedom,” he said.

The governor stressed that he was open to collaborating with “well-meaning Nigerians” genuinely committed to resolving the matter through diplomacy and dialogue with the federal government.

Otti recalled that this was not the first time he had publicly intervened in matters concerning Kanu.

He referenced the September 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s family home, which resulted in the destruction of property and loss of lives.

“I immediately and strongly condemned that avoidable act and appealed that dialogue should henceforth be explored as the best approach to resolving the IPOB issue,” he said.

It could be recalled that on 20 November 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho found Nnamdi Kanu guilty on seven counts of terrorism-related offences.

The charges included inciting violence against security personnel, issuing unlawful “sit-at-home” orders in the South-East, teaching bomb-making techniques, and directing attacks that undermined citizens’ freedom of movement.

Justice Omotosho declared Kanu an “international terrorist” and held that the right to self-determination did not apply when it violates Nigeria’s constitution.

While prosecutors requested the death penalty, the judge opted for life imprisonment, stating: “I must temper justice with mercy … the death penalty globally is now being frowned upon by the international community.”

Omotosho further dismissed Kanu’s arguments of unfair rendition from Kenya and claimed he was denied adequate facilities to defend himself, noting that Kanu refused to mount a credible defence.

However, Governor Otti noted that Kanu’s conviction and continued detention had deeply affected many residents.

According to him, the development has “broken a lot of our people and created an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia and beyond.”

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that Kanu is freed, saying he would not relent until the agreed political strategy yields results.