Alex Otti, governor of Abia, says Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be released soon.
Otti spoke on Friday at the State House, Abuja, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr President. He is favourably disposed to it, and I am sure that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom,” Otti said.
“Mr President and I have been friends for decades. Whatever he wants to do, he will tell you, and if he will not, he will say so. Having made promises, I am sure he will keep them.”
Tinubu, represented by David Umahi, minister of works, called on south-east residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
“I ask the people of the south-east to unite and come together. As your brother, I have listened to the messages for Mr President and the comments of the governor of Abia state,” he said.
“I want to assure senator Abaribe and Governor Otti that the south-east governors are working very seriously.
“They are exploring a political solution together with our senators, house of representatives members, and ministers.
“I am confident that with the love of the president for the south-east, a peaceful resolution will come to pass.
“But we must remain law-abiding and appreciative and recognise that this president has placed the south-east at the centre of national activities.”
The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was extradited from Kenya in June 2021.
He is currently facing terrorism charges.
There have been growing calls for Kanu’s release, particularly from stakeholders in the south-east. His lawyers claim that his health is deteriorating daily.
The court has declined several requests to allow Kanu to leave the DSS custody for medical treatment
