Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has assured the public that governors from the South-East region have not abandoned efforts to secure the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Speaking during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, Otti stated that regional leaders continue to engage relevant federal authorities behind the scenes to find a resolution. He noted that specific details of the ongoing diplomatic and administrative negotiations are intentionally kept private to protect the sensitivity of the process.
Kanu is currently serving a sentence following his conviction on charges adjudicated by the Federal High Court in Abuja. While regional leaders have faced public questions regarding their stance on the matter, Otti maintained that quiet diplomacy remains the preferred approach among governors in the geopolitical zone. The assurance comes as regional stakeholders continue to balance legal realities with political appeals for clemency or political solutions.
In addition to regional security and political matters, Governor Otti used the media chat to address various economic and infrastructural updates within Abia State. He announced that the state debt profile had experienced a significant reduction, dropping from ₦147.2 billion in the second quarter of 2023 to ₦48.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026. Otti clarified that the administration had undertaken no direct commercial borrowing during this period, attributing any ledger increases solely to drawdowns from established multilateral development facilities like the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project.
Focusing on domestic governance, the governor highlighted several completed projects ready for commissioning, including the CKC water scheme in Aba and a new smart school facility. He noted that educational reforms and standardisation efforts are underway across both public and private institutions. Furthermore, Otti stated that the state government has issued over 5,000 Certificates of Occupancy within three years and that a newly developed housing initiative in Umuahia has seen substantial public interest and oversubscription.
Addressing public health concerns, Otti confirmed that Abia State has activated precautionary measures and designated an isolation centre at the Modern Child Hospital following the detection of an index Ebola case elsewhere in the country. He reassured residents that no infections have been recorded within the state borders and urged the populace to remain calm. Other social interventions mentioned included extensive eye care screenings and surgical operations conducted through the state Eye Care Management Bureau, alongside gradual plans for trader relocation and infrastructure prioritisation.
Source reporting: Vanguard — 2026-10-31 11:54:35
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