The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has urged citizens to remain calm following the conviction and life imprisonment sentence handed down to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
In a formal statement issued in Umuahia, Governor Otti said the judgment had “broken the hearts of many people” and thrown Abia and the wider South East into “shock and sorrow,” but reassured the public that ongoing dialogue and diplomatic engagements aimed at securing Kanu’s release were already in motion.
Governor Otti recalled his long-standing advocacy for non-violent and dialogue-driven solutions to the IPOB crisis, noting that he had opposed the September 2017 military invasion of Kanu’s family home in Afaraukwu Umuahia. He referenced his widely circulated ThisDay column of September 25, 2017, titled “Operation Python Dance: Killing a Fly With a Sledgehammer”, where he condemned the invasion and urged the Federal Government to adopt a more constructive approach.
“Leadership requires emotional intelligence, restraint, and tolerance, rather than force and violence,” Otti reiterated. He added that mishandling the IPOB situation in its early stages contributed significantly to the complications the country faces today.
Providing insight into efforts behind the scenes, Governor Otti revealed that since December 22, 2023, he had been in discussions with authorities at the highest level to pursue an alternative resolution strategy. He noted that some agreements were reached, which were expected to take effect after the conclusion of the Federal High Court proceedings.
“Now that judgment has been delivered, I am confident that the alternative resolution will begin immediately,” he said, adding that the strategy had earlier been explained to Kanu during his visit to him in DSS custody.
Otti emphasized that Kanu has the legal right to appeal the judgment but assured citizens that he had already “reactivated” the agreed diplomatic channels to secure his release.
“I will continue to work on this strategy until his freedom is secured,” he affirmed. “I am also open to collaborating with well-meaning Nigerians who genuinely seek a peaceful resolution.”
The Governor appealed to residents of Abia and the entire South East to remain calm and avoid statements or actions that could escalate tension or undermine ongoing negotiations.
“I have no doubt that with the assurances received from the Federal Government, a resolution is in sight and Mazi Kanu will regain his freedom,” he said.
He warned politicians against exploiting Kanu’s situation for “petty and dirty politics,” urging them instead to support constructive efforts toward securing his release.
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Governor Otti concluded by reaffirming his commitment to pursuing peace through wisdom, high-level dialogue, and diplomacy, with the goal of restoring lasting stability to the South East.
