Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has urged residents of the State to remain calm following the conviction and sentencing of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, noting that the development although painful is not the end of the road.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, 20 November 2025, found Abia-born leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Kanu guilty of terrorism-related offences.
Mazi Kanu was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment; a verdict that has sparked widespread grief and shock across the South-East.
In a personally signed statement made available to Newsmen, Governor Otti acknowledged the emotional impact of the judgement on Abia residents and the Igbo community, noting that many were “broken” by the outcome.
“Without doubt, this development has broken a lot of our people and created an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia and beyond.
“It would be recalled that in September 2017 when soldiers invaded the family home of Mazi Kanu, leading to destruction of property and loss of lives, I immediately and strongly condemned that avoidable act and appealed that dialogue should henceforth be explored as the best approach to resolving the IPOB issue”, the Governor said.
He referenced a column he wrote eight days after the Afaraukwu military incursion, titled Operation Python Dance: Killing a Fly With a Sledge Hammer, in which he again condemned the incident and offered alternative approaches to de-escalate the situation.
According to Governor Otti, the mishandling of the IPOB matter at its initial stage contributed significantly to the current situation.
“I still strongly believe that the poor management of the IPOB issue at the incubation stage created the problem we have today. Hence, we cannot allow it to linger and create a bigger monstrous situation for us”, he stated.
The Governor revealed that he had, since December 2023, been engaging the Federal Government “at the highest level” on a diplomatic resolution strategy for Kanu’s case adding that some agreements had been reached, contingent on the conclusion of the court process.
“While the trial that led to this conviction lasted, I personally engaged the authorities at the highest level, starting from December 22, 2023, on alternative resolution strategy.
“I must state that some agreements were made which were dependent on quick dispensation of the matter at the federal high court.Unfortunately, the matter dragged until this time.
“I am confident that judgement having been delivered, the alternative resolution will now kick in. It is instructive that this strategy was explained to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu when I visited him while he was in the DSS Custody earlier in the year”, the Governor said.
While acknowledging Kanu’s right to appeal the judgement, Governor Otti assured Abians that diplomatic engagements were already underway to secure Mazi Kanu ‘s release.
“I’m happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured.
“I’m also happy to collaborate with other well-meaning Nigerians who genuinely want this problem resolved, to push for his freedom through the same diplomacy and dialogue with the federal government, which though did not create the problem, but can courageously and compassionately solve it and take the credit”, Governor Otti said.
He further called on residents to remain peaceful and avoid inflammatory remarks or actions capable of heightening tension.
“I’ll like to use this opportunity to appeal to our people to remain calm and refrain from utterances and actions capable of stoking fear, violence and insecurity and may negatively affect the the outcome of the engagements we are already having.
“I have no doubt that with the assurances I have received from the Federal Government, a resolution is in sight and Mazi Kanu will receive his freedom”, he said.
The Governor also issued a stern warning to politicians attempting to exploit the situation for political gains, urging them to support efforts geared towards securing Kanu’s release.
He assured Abians of his “unwavering resolve and commitment to genuinely solving this problem with wisdom, high level dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to ensuring that genuine peace returns to the South East”.
