Abia State Governor Alex Otti has explained the rationale behind his recent visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently serving a jail term in Sokoto.
The governor spoke on Friday at the Government House, Umuahia, while receiving the leadership of the Abia Diaspora Commission and members of the medical team for the state’s Global Medical Mission 2025.
Otti stressed that the visit was not informed by political ambition, but by a commitment to dialogue and the pursuit of peace.
His clarification followed the circulation of a social media video in which a commentator criticised the visit and questioned the governor’s motives.
Defending his action, Otti said the criticisms reflected differing opinions, which he described as a normal feature of a democratic society, adding that disagreement did not necessarily validate one position over another.
The governor also dismissed speculation about future political plans, insisting that he had no intention of contesting any election after completing his tenure.
“One of the issues he raised in the video was my ambition after serving as governor.
“I have said this before, sometime in October, when we received representatives of the President, and I will say it again today.
“By the time I complete my tenure as governor, I will retire from public office,” he said.