Follow Us on Google
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has clarified that his principal did not meet with President Bola Tinubu to pave the way for joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Rather, the meeting was focused on securing the release of jailed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Ekeoma, in a statement, said the clarification was necessary following remarks credited to a chieftain of the APC in the state, Chief Charles Ogbonna, suggesting that Otti’s meeting with Tinubu was not to advocate for Kanu’s release, as the Governor’s team claimed, but rather to negotiate a defection to the APC ahead of 2027.
Ekeoma described Chief Ogbonna’s allegations that Governor Otti went to lobby to join the APC as petty, ignoble, laughable and very irresponsible.
The statement read in part, “In continuation of Governor Otti’s efforts aimed at securing Kanu’s release, the Governor subsequently had a meeting with the President after visiting the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, 30 November 2025.
“This is in continuation of earlier meetings the Governor has had with the Federal Government on this matter over 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 gracious and generous.
“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 only 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.
Other News
“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, in spite of the empty noise and boasts 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 or ridiculous than Ogbonna’s utterances?”
The statement reminded Ogbonna that Otti did not campaign with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s name in 2023 when he won the election, and does not need to campaign with his plight for 2027.
Ekeoma noted, however, that the Governor strongly believes resolving the issue of Kanu’s conviction is one of the paths to achieving peace, security, and healing in the South East and the country at large.
