Abia State indigenes living in Anambra State have called on Governor Alex Otti to champion efforts aimed at securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). They believe this step would help address the persistent security challenges in the Southeast. The call was made during an end-of-year gathering at Divine Hotel, Housing Estate, Fegge, Onitsha, where Comrade Damian Ogudike, President of the Abia State Indigenes in Anambra, and Bishop (Dr.) Innocent Chidi, President of the Abia Ministers’ Forum in Anambra, addressed the media.
During the event, Bishop Chidi urged Governor Otti to unite with other Southeast governors to advocate for Kanu’s release, emphasizing that this action should be a priority to mitigate the region’s insecurity. He commended Otti’s progress in infrastructural development and urged him to ensure the consistent payment of civil servants’ salaries, pensions, and the enhancement of education.
Comrade Ogudike dismissed the notion that Kanu is to blame for the insecurity in the Southeast, attributing the unrest to political actors and their hired thugs. He applauded Otti for taking bold steps to dismantle criminal networks in Abia, including the demolition of a market that served as a haven for criminals. Ogudike encouraged the governor to maintain his focus on security and workers’ welfare to ensure harmonious relations within the state.
The group also urged Otti to prioritize the completion of the Abia Government House in Umuahia, expressing dissatisfaction with the state’s reliance on rented or private accommodations for official duties. They stressed that addressing this issue would strengthen governance and public confidence in the administration.
Bishop Chidi reiterated the urgency of securing Kanu’s release, particularly ahead of the Christmas season, as many believe his detention exacerbates insecurity in the region. He praised Otti’s efforts in tackling crime, such as dismantling the Lokpanta Cattle Market, which was linked to various criminal activities.
Other leaders of the Abia Indigenes Forum, including Ndubuisi Anyanacho, Engr. Enyinna Onyekwere, and Prince Obiagwu Omenuko, also voiced support for Kanu’s release and emphasized the need for unity in addressing the Southeast’s security challenges. They argued that political instability and the manipulation of security forces by local politicians were the root causes of the unrest, not Kanu’s actions.
The indigenes pledged their continued support for Governor Otti’s leadership and urged him to prioritize security, good governance, and the campaign for Nnamdi Kanu’s release to foster peace and stability in the region.
