Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the life imprisonment imposed on Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, calling instead for a political and dialogue-driven approach to resolve the issues surrounding his case.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi argued that Kanu’s arrest, prolonged detention, and eventual conviction were symptoms of deeper leadership failures.
He said that meaningful political engagement was never fully explored before the government opted for prosecution.
The verdict, Obi noted, comes at a time when Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship and widespread insecurity, conditions he believes should compel the government to seek reconciliation rather than escalate tensions.
According to him, Kanu’s grievances were not beyond resolution and could have been addressed through consultations, policy changes, and institutional reforms.
“The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. They only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functioning society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity,” Obi stated.
He referenced international examples where governments have used political settlements to address internal conflicts when strict legal measures failed.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment this week by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism charges.
He has been in custody since 2021 after his controversial transfer from Kenya, a move his legal team insists was an illegal extraordinary rendition, though the Federal Government maintains otherwise.
Since IPOB’s designation as a terrorist organisation in 2017, security tensions have intensified across the Southeast.
Earlier this month, security forces reported clashes with armed groups suspected of separatist ties in rural Anambra, prompting temporary roadblocks that disrupted transportation and school activities.
Obi linked Kanu’s case with what he described as larger governance problems, particularly a lack of inclusion and cohesive national leadership.
He urged President Bola Tinubu, the Council of State, and influential national leaders to intervene and prevent further escalation.
He ended his message by advocating peace and reconciliation as the only viable long-term solution.
“My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the court’s decision, is for us to remain optimistic for peace and reconciliation. The Presidency, the Council of State, and credible statesmen who care about cohesion and inclusivity should rise to the occasion for a lasting solution,”
he said.
