Otti’s meeting with Tinubu about Kanu, not defection — Gov’s aide

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti. Photo: State House

Kindly share this story:

The Special Adviser to Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has said the governor’s visit to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday centred on issues concerning the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Ekeoma disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, while reacting to a claim by a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Charles Ogbonnaya, who alleged that the governor visited Tinubu to discuss plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general election.

The governor’s aide insisted that his principal’s meeting with the President was a continuation of efforts to secure Kanu’s release.

“The governor subsequently had a meeting with the President after visiting the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30, 2025. This is in continuation of earlier meetings the governor had been having with the FG on this matter in the past two years.

“The issue of Kanu was the only subject matter that took Governor Otti to Aso Rock and to the glory of God, the meeting was both positive and fruitful, as the President was so gracious and generous,” he said.

Ekeoma said his response to Ogbonnaya’s claim became necessary because the issue of Kanu’s release is both sensitive and important to the state government, making it imperative to set the record straight.

He stated that the former commissioner’s recurrent attacks on the governor stem from Otti’s decision to leave his party during the 2023 general election.

Ekeoma challenged Ogbonnaya to name those he claimed Otti betrayed and explain when and how such betrayal occurred.

He said, “Ogbonnaya’s allegation of Governor Otti going to lobby to join the APC is both petty, ignoble, laughable and very irresponsible.

“At the risk of sounding immodest, any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would roll out the drums and red carpet to welcome him with joy and excitement.

“If anything, many notable and respected APC leaders are not just desirous of having him in their fold, but are strongly appealing to Governor Otti to join their party because they know that he is not a liability.

“Ogbonna accused Otti of betrayal, but he didn’t say who Otti betrayed, how or when. He claimed that Otti doesn’t have capacity, yet Otti defeated him in his Polling Unit, Ward and LGA where his PDP candidates from House of Assembly to President lost woefully.

“He accused Governor Otti of inconsistency, yet he abandoned Alhaji Atiku Abubakar less than 48 hours after the result of the presidential election was announced, despite the empty noise and boast he made about the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, all for Atiku’s money when it was needed and available.

“He alleged that Governor Otti is playing politics with Nnamdi Kanu, yet, he is angry that the Governor is engaging the FG to secure Kanu’s freedom. Is there anything more contradictory and ridiculous than Ogbonna’s utterances?”

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.