Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has clarified that his recent visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was motivated by the pursuit of peace and dialogue, and not by any political ambition.

The governor made the statement on Friday while receiving the leadership of the Abia Diaspora Commission and the medical team of the state’s Global Medical Mission 2025 at the Government House in Umuahia.

Addressing a trending video in which he was criticised for allegedly using the visit for political showmanship, Otti emphasised that his action was purely intended to foster dialogue and promote peace, noting that differing opinions are part of a democratic society.

“One of the issues raised in the video was about my ambition after serving as governor. I have said this before, and I will say it again: by the time I complete my tenure as governor, I will retire from public office,” Otti stated.

The governor underscored that peace and stability are essential to the development of Abia State and the broader South-East region, insisting that dialogue is a necessary tool for resolving lingering issues.

On November 30, 2025, Governor Otti, accompanied by officials from Sokoto State, visited Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre. The visit occurred days after Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment, with additional terms on other counts.

Kanu was subsequently transferred from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja to Sokoto Correctional Facility, a move that drew concern from his legal team and supporters. Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, described the transfer as an attempt to isolate him from family, legal counsel, and supporters.

Footage from the visit showed a heavy security presence around the prison facility, reflecting the high-profile nature of Kanu’s detention and the sensitivity of the visit.