Otti: South-east Govs Still Working Behind Scenes to Secure Kanu’s Release
Boniface Okoro in Umuahia Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has stated that the South-east governors had not abandoned efforts to secure the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed that the South-east governors are persisting in their attempts to secure the release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, despite not sharing details of the negotiations publicly. Kanu is currently serving a life sentence for terrorism-related charges. Otti also reported that Abia State's debt profile had significantly reduced from ₦147.2 billion in the second quarter of 2023 to ₦48.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026, a decrease of ₦98.6 billion.
He clarified that this reduction did not involve direct borrowing, but rather the withdrawal from existing multilateral facilities.
The governor announced the readiness of the CKC water scheme in Aba for commissioning and the planned commissioning of another smart school, bringing the total number of planned schools in the state to 21. Otti also highlighted Abia State's second place in the 2025/2026 Climate Governance Ranking and the issuance of over 5,000 Certificates of Occupancy in the past three years. The new housing project in Umuahia is reportedly oversubscribed, with balloting for beneficiaries set to commence soon.
On public health, Otti informed that precautionary measures were being implemented in response to Nigeria’s Ebola index case, with an isolation center established at the Modern Child Hospital. However, he reassured the public that no Ebola cases have been reported in Abia. In terms of eye care services, over 31,000 screening exercises have been conducted, resulting in 1,811 operations, including 304 free cataract surgeries for vulnerable residents.
Otti emphasized the importance of early detection in preventing blindness and encouraged residents to undergo eye screening.
The governor also addressed the planned relocation of traders around Isi-Gate in Umuahia, stating that the process would be gradual and that affected traders must be provided with alternative livelihoods to protect their interests. Otti announced that a ₦1 billion personal gift intended for teachers during the 2026 World Teachers’ Day would be distributed among all teachers in the state, regardless of their rank or position, clarifying that this was a personal gift and not part of an official government program or promotion-related benefit.
Lastly, Otti outlined the administration's road projects prioritization, focusing on major roads in Aba and Umuahia due to their significant impact on businesses, mobility, employment, and revenue generation.
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