Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, have stressed the need for dialogue in securing the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The two leaders from the region emphasised that dialogue remained the best path to achieving Kanu’s release.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja on seven terrorism-related charges.

Justice James Omotosho handed him life terms on five of the counts, 20 years on one, and five years on another, all without the option of a fine.

The judge noted that placing Kanu in the Kuje Correctional Centre might not be appropriate due to the risk of violence, suggesting the need for a more secure facility.

Reacting to the judgment, Otti said it was not the end of the road, assuring the people of the South-East that he had “activated and will continue to work on his freedom.”

In a statement signed by the governor and released on Saturday, Otti stated that the development had broken many people, creating an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia State and beyond.

The governor added that when soldiers invaded Kanu’s family home, causing destruction of property and loss of lives, he condemned the avoidable act and appealed for dialogue as the best approach to resolving the IPOB issue.

He said, “I condemned that invasion and the killings that followed once again, and offered extensively well-thought-out views and suggestions I felt could help de-escalate tension and unite the nation if the then Federal Government was willing to pay attention to those views.

“This is because I recognise that leadership requires emotional intelligence, restraint and tolerance rather than force and violence.”

‘Alternative resolution to start soon’

Otti expressed the belief that “the poor management of the IPOB issue at the incubation stage created the problem we have today, hence we cannot allow it to linger and create a bigger, monstrous situation for us.”

He added, “I must state that some agreements were made which were dependent on a quick dispensation of the matter at the Federal High Court.

“Unfortunately, the matter dragged until this time. I am confident that with judgment now delivered, the alternative resolution will kick in.

“It is instructive that this strategy was explained to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu when I visited him while he was in DSS custody earlier in the year. While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, I’m happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured.”

Judgment can worsen tension – Obi

Meanwhile, Obi, in a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, described the judgment as “an unfortunate development” that risks heightening national tension rather than easing it.

According to him, news of Kanu’s conviction should compel Nigerians to reflect deeply, especially “at a time like this” when the nation is grappling with severe economic hardship, escalating insecurity and the consequences of prolonged poor governance.

Obi restated his long-held view that Kanu’s arrest and detention were avoidable, arguing that the entire episode signalled a failure of leadership and a misreading of the core issues.

He faulted the government for relying on force rather than exploring dialogue or reforms.

“Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, reason was not fully explored, if at all,” he added.

Ohanaeze youths seek Kanu’s release

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing, Chika Adiele, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter and release Kanu.

Adiele described Kanu’s long years of incarceration and his excruciating trial as a charade.

He added that the IPOB leader’s release remained the only panacea for lasting peace in the South-East region.

Adiele stated, “We admonish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise restraint and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately, as his long years of incarceration and his excruciating trial remain a charade.

“Almost on a daily basis, thousands of Nigerians are killed, kidnapped or maimed by bandits, ISWAP, Boko Haram and their enablers. Yet, the Federal Government treats them with presidential gloves.

“For too long, Ndigbo have been victims of massive institutional attacks. One of the most disturbing facts is the selective justice meted out to Ndigbo in all facets of our national life.”