Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has said that the South-East governors did not at any time, abandon the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but making serious efforts to secure his release.
This is as the Governor also said that South-East governors have been holding meetings under their Governors’ Forum where issues of regional interests are being discussed.
Otti who spoke during this month’s media parley Thursday night in Umuahia, said the governors have been engaging the relevant federal authorities on the release of Kanu.
The Governor who, however, said the engagements were bearing desirable fruits although he declined from disclosing them, said that some of the engagements and assurances were not for public disclosure.
Otti spoke on the heels of the recent protest by Igbo elders who stormed Government House Umuahia to demand Kanu’s release.
The protesting elders who came from different states in the South-East, accused the governors and Igbo political elite of abandoning Kanu.
They urged Otti to coordinate his brother-governors from the zone and engage President Bola Tinubu, and press for Kanu’s release.
“We have been engaging for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. But the level at which we are engaging; and the discussions that have happened; and the assurances that have been received, are not for public consumption since it may derail the process.
“But you can take it for granted that as his Governor, I’m at the forefront of ensuring that he comes back home. And all the South-East Governors are together in it.”
On the frequent bloody communal clashes between Itu community in Arochukwu Local Government Area, and its Cross River neighbours which have forced so many folks to abandon their ancestral homes and seek refuge in other Abia communities, Otti said the State was engaging the Governments of Cross River and Akwa Ibom for a peaceful resolution.
He blamed the clashes on rumoured existence of natural resources in the area, but said efforts were on to re-settle the people in their ancestral homes.
“Concerning the instability and violence in the area, we found out that the major reason for this is unconfirmed reports of the existence of natural resources, particularly limestone in those locations.
“So what we have done is to engage with sister governments – Cross River in particular – and of course there’s also part of our communities whose neighbours from Akwa Ibom are also up in arms with them.
“The Deputy Governor is handling all this by himself. As a matter of fact, he went to Abuja to hold meetings with the deputy governor of those places so that we can bring lasting peace to those communities. So since you are in contact with them, please reassure them that they are not abandoned and that very soon they will return to their ancestral homes.
Gov. Otti said his administration had made some progress in its bid to transform the state.
