Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Umuahia, Nigeria — Abia State Governor Alex Otti has firmly dismissed social media speculation that his recent visit to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the Sokoto Correctional Centre was politically motivated or part of plans for future elective ambition. The governor said his engagement was aimed at fostering dialogue, peace and understanding, not positioning himself for higher office.
Speaking on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti addressed a viral video in which a critic suggested that the prison visit signalled presidential or vice‑presidential ambitions once his tenure ends. The governor rejected the notion as unfounded and clarified that public office should not be driven by personal political gain. “By the time I complete my tenure as governor, I will retire from public office. I have no presidential ambition, no vice‑presidential ambition, and no senatorial ambition,” he declared, underscoring his intention to exit active politics on completion of his current mandate.
The governor noted that differing opinions and critiques are part of a healthy democracy, but emphasised that such views should not be taken as fact without evidence. Otti reiterated that his visit to Kanu was grounded in a belief that problems are best addressed through conversation rather than avoidance, especially in contexts involving contentious national issues. “We may not all agree, but strong arguments can change minds, and I have always believed that it is better to sit across the table and talk than go to war,” he said, defending dialogue as a tool for peace.
Otti highlighted that his engagement with Kanu was not a recent development. He explained that he had initiated discussions on the matter at high levels of government nearly two years ago, noting that given Kanu’s roots in Abia State — specifically Umuahia North Local Government Area — the visit was appropriate within the context of exploring peaceful resolutions and administrative intervention.
Reacting to claims in the viral video that linked his actions to an “Igbo presidency,” Otti dismissed the argument as unsubstantiated. He stressed that simply because someone holds a contrary opinion does not make it accurate. “I don’t even understand what that means,” Otti said of the Igbo presidency narrative, asserting that his name would not appear on any ballot beyond his current governorship.
On the broader issue of security and national cohesion, the governor reiterated his opposition to conflict as a means of resolving disagreements. He referenced his past criticism of Operation Python Dance, a military operation previously deployed in the South‑East, stating that he had spoken against it in earlier writings and maintained that position. Otti emphasised that even individuals convicted through the legal system — including Kanu, who was sentenced in November 2025 — could be subject to dialogue and administrative discussion without undermining legal processes.
While underscoring his commitment to peace, the governor also highlighted ongoing security concerns in Nigeria, recognising that criminal elements exploit instability to harm innocent citizens. He affirmed that his administration would confront violence decisively while pursuing peace responsibly, insisting that governance must protect citizens without fomenting further unrest. “We will act responsibly as a government, but anyone who brings violence will be firmly confronted,” he said.
Otti’s clarification comes amid broader national conversations about governance, security and the role of dialogue in resolving complex political issues. By framing his engagement as rooted in peacebuilding rather than personal political strategy, he sought to dispel rumours and focus public attention on constructive approaches to longstanding tensions within the country.
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