 |
Gov. Oti & Nnamdi Kanu |
In a highly anticipated move that has stirred both political commentary and public interest, Abia State Governor Alex Otti conducted a visit on Sunday, 30 November 2025, to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, where detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu is currently serving a life sentence.
Governor Otti was accompanied by a high-level team including Abia State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN); his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma; along with representatives of the Sokoto State government. Also present was Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu.
During the closed-door meeting, Otti reportedly encouraged Kanu to remain calm and resilient. He reiterated that the efforts — initiated more than two years ago — to respectfully review and resolve Kanu’s sentence have now been “intensified,” despite the recent court ruling.
ALSO READ>>> Police Conduct Major Operation in Nasarawa, Apprehend 39 Migrant Suspects from Mali.
The governor said that the matter would be addressed “administratively,” and expressed hope that Kanu will “regain his freedom.” According to his media aide’s statement, Otti also shared that the Sultan of Sokoto has indicated sympathy with the idea of de-escalating tensions and hinted at a symbolic gesture of unity: he reportedly told Kanu that “he is now his subject” and planned to turban him — a remark that brought laughter during the visit.
In response, Kanu was described as being in “high spirits” and expressed gratitude to Otti for showing solidarity. He reportedly commended the governor’s developmental track record in Abia State and affirmed that his foremost interest remains good governance and the welfare of the people.
What this means
• The visit underscores Otti’s willingness to be personally involved in sensitive national issues, even those with strong political and social implications.
• His promise to seek an administrative resolution signals a potential shift away from purely judicial or security-led approaches to contentious cases.
• The reported support — symbolic or otherwise — by the Sultan of Sokoto might open a new front for dialogue over Kanu’s detention, hinting at traditional-cultural channels being invoked to foster reconciliation.
• Many see the visit not just as a political statement, but also as an effort to calm rising tensions and address grievances — especially among those in the South-East who view the case as emblematic of deeper regional divides.