Otti Adviser Defends Positive Talks With Tinubu on Kanu, says aide, who dismisses claims the governor sought defection talks during the Abuja meeting
The Special Adviser to Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said on Thursday that Governor Otti’s recent visit to President Bola Tinubu in Abuja focused solely on discussions regarding the detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
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Ekeoma stated that the meeting followed Governor Otti’s visit to Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on 30 November, describing the latest engagement as part of sustained Otti Tinubu talks aimed at securing Kanu’s release.
Ekeoma issued the clarification in response to an allegation by former Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Charles Ogbonnaya, who claimed the governor travelled to the Presidential Villa to negotiate a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor’s aide said the assertion was unfounded, arguing that the subject of Kanu’s release had been the only item discussed at the meeting with President Tinubu. He added that the President was gracious during the conversation, which he described as both positive and fruitful.
Ekeoma said he felt compelled to address the allegation because the matter of Kanu’s freedom remained sensitive and critical to the Abia State Government. He accused Ogbonnaya of repeatedly attacking Governor Otti since Otti left the former commissioner’s party during the 2023 general election.
He challenged Ogbonnaya to identify the individuals he claimed had been betrayed and to explain the circumstances of such alleged actions.
According to him, the accusation that the governor sought to lobby for entry into the APC was irresponsible and laughable.
Ekeoma added that any political party would welcome Governor Otti warmly if he chose to join, noting that several senior APC leaders had privately encouraged him to align with the ruling party due to his perceived value and performance.
He further rebuked Ogbonnaya’s criticisms by recalling the former commissioner’s defeats in his polling unit, ward and local government area during the 2023 elections.
He also accused Ogbonnaya of abandoning Atiku Abubakar shortly after the presidential results were announced, despite his earlier public support.
Ekeoma concluded that Ogbonnaya’s remarks about Kanu were contradictory, insisting that it was inconsistent to accuse Governor Otti of political exploitation while also objecting to his efforts to secure Kanu’s release.
Also read: Otti makes hopeful visit to Kanu at Sokoto facility
He said Ogbonnaya’s statements lacked coherence and did little to advance public understanding of the issue.
