A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has urged Governor Alex Otti to focus on addressing the concerns of the people of Abia State rather than seeking to gain political leverage by referencing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Ikonne made this statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Ujo Justice, in a release on Saturday in Abuja.

According to Ikonne, the governor’s recent public comments on Nnamdi Kanu’s situation appear to be a desperate attempt to draw attention away from his administration’s performance. Ikonne expressed concern that Governor Otti is using sensitive national issues to distract the people of Abia State from his government’s perceived underperformance and questionable financial management.

Ikonne criticized the governor for not providing transparent accounting of public funds, instead opting to involve the name of Nnamdi Kanu in his narrative. He questioned the existence of certain projects, including a N54 billion “Smart School” project and a N6 billion “Recreational Centre,” allegedly executed under Otti’s administration, which he claims have not been made visible.

The APC chieftain challenged the governor to disclose the exact locations of these projects and invite the media for verification. He also queried why these projects were not commissioned during the governor’s recent public presentation of rehabilitated roads, and why reports from the government house often lack substance.

Regarding Nnamdi Kanu’s situation, Ikonne accused Governor Otti of hypocrisy, stating that despite being in office for over two years, the governor had not previously shown concern for Kanu’s plight. It was only recently, when his government’s credibility was under scrutiny, that Otti made comments suggesting Kanu would soon regain freedom.

This development comes after Governor Otti recently stated that Nnamdi Kanu, who was rearrested by the Nigerian government in Kenya in June 2021, would soon be released. The situation has sparked renewed attention to the case, with various stakeholders weighing in on the matter. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Governor Otti’s administration will respond to the concerns raised by Ikonne and other stakeholders.