Dare Babalola
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday visited the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, reaffirming that efforts to secure his release remain active and ongoing.
Otti spoke on Sunday when he visited the prison facility Kanu is serving his life imprisonment for terrorism, the governor’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said in a statement Sunday night.
Ekeoma said the governor urged Kanu to stay hopeful, explaining that discussions he began over two years ago had gained renewed momentum.
He quoted Otti as assuring that the matter would be resolved “administratively,” expressing confidence that Kanu would soon be released.
Ekeoma added that Otti informed Kanu of the Sultan of Sokoto’s willingness to support a peaceful settlement.
The governor also informed Kanu that the Sultan of Sokoto had on “a lighter note” told him (Otti) that he (Kanu) is now “his subject and he was going to turban him.”
“The information got the IPOB leader laughing loudly,” the statement said.
Kanu, described as being in very good spirits, expressed gratitude for the governor’s visit.
He commended Otti for what he called impressive development efforts in Abia State and encouraged him to continue delivering good governance. He also offered prayers for the governor and his delegation.
Otti was joined on the visit 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.
Some officials from the Sokoto State Government were also in attendance.
