Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader Peter Obi has strongly criticized the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as unjustifiable and counterproductive to national unity.
Speaking in a televised interview on Monday, the former Anambra State governor questioned the rationale behind Kanu’s continued incarceration, especially if the charges against him are largely based on speech-related offences.
“Why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me,” Obi said, responding to a question on whether he would pursue a political solution for the detained secessionist leader if elected president.
Obi emphasized that the alleged use of vulgar or inflammatory language by Kanu does not warrant such prolonged detention, arguing that democratic leaders must learn to tolerate dissent and prioritize the greater good.
“Some people say he used vulgar words. I’ve not seen it. Even if he did, it doesn’t bother me. Today, people call me all sorts of names — thief, idiot — and it doesn’t matter. As a leader, my job is to focus on the common man and put food on their table.”
The 2023 presidential contender reiterated his long-standing position that dialogue, inclusion, and political negotiation are more effective in addressing national grievances than force or prolonged incarceration.
“If there’s someone I can talk to, I will,” Obi said. “Let’s say there’s a bandit in the North East. I will talk to him — just to establish a connection and say enough is enough. Then I will act decisively. But it starts with engagement.”
His remarks come at a time when the federal government faces growing pressure to explore non-military approaches to resolving separatist and insurgency-related conflicts across Nigeria, including renewed calls for a political resolution to the IPOB agitation.
Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since his controversial extradition to Nigeria in 2021, is facing charges ranging from terrorism to inciting violence and secession.
However, multiple court rulings, including one from the Court of Appeal have called aspects of his continued detention into question, with many civil rights groups describing it as politically motivated.
Obi’s statement adds his voice to a growing list of political figures, legal experts, and international observers urging the government to seek a peaceful, lawful, and political end to the IPOB crisis, a path that could ease tensions in the South-East and foster national reconciliation.
