Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has expressed confidence that detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, will soon regain his freedom.

Otti spoke on Friday during a one-day official visit to the state by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

“I can assure you that I am engaging with Mr President. He is favourably disposed to it, and I am sure that in no distant future, Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom,” Otti said at the event.

The governor also emphasised his long-standing relationship with Tinubu, saying the president was a man of his word.

“Mr President and I have been friends for decades. Whatever he wants to do, he will tell you, and if he will not, he will say so. Having made promises, I am sure he will keep them,” he noted.

Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, urged residents of the South-East to remain united and peaceful.

“I ask the people of the South-East to unite and come together. As your brother, I have listened to the messages for Mr President and the comments of the governor of Abia State,” Umahi said.

The minister assured that efforts were underway by regional leaders to pursue a political solution for Kanu’s case.

“I want to assure Senator Abaribe and Governor Otti that the governors of the South-East are working very seriously. They are exploring a political solution together with our senators, House of Representatives members, and ministers,” he stated.