Governor Otti’s Aide Clarifies Tinubu Meeting Focused on Nnamdi Kanu, Dismisses Defection Rumours

​The Special Adviser on Media to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has moved to dispel intensifying defection rumours, clarifying that the Governor’s recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu focused exclusively on securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

​Ekeoma’s statement comes in response to claims by a former state official alleging that the Labour Party (LP) Governor visited the Presidency to discuss plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
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The Governor’s aide insisted that the meeting on Tuesday was a direct continuation of Otti’s long-standing effort with the Federal Government regarding Kanu’s freedom. According to Ekeoma, the discussion came after the Governor visited the detained IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre earlier in the week.
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Ekeoma stressed that the issue of Kanu’s release is both “sensitive and important” to the state and was the “only subject matter” of the Aso Rock visit. He dismissed the defection rumours as “petty and irresponsible,” asserting that any political party would welcome Governor Otti, who is currently focused on governance and regional peace initiatives, not political alliances.

The aide affirmed that the meeting with President Tinubu was positive and fruitful regarding the security and stability concerns surrounding the detained separatist leader.