Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has declared that there is no justification for the ongoing imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking during an engagement with the Nigerian diaspora in Washington, D.C., the former Anambra State governor reiterated his longstanding opposition to Kanu's continued detention.
Obi's Stance on Kanu's Detention
“I have said this repeatedly, there is no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu in prison. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason whatsoever,” Obi stated. He questioned the rationale behind arresting someone for making statements on radio or hurling insults. “You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on radio and calling people names. It doesn’t make sense. Anybody can tell you anything. I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names. I don’t think calling me names is an offence. It is not an offence,” he added.
Call for Dialogue
Obi emphasized that if he were in government, he would engage with all agitators. “If I’m in government today, I will discuss with all agitators. I will engage with them. I will consult with them. Because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It’s only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it,” he explained.
Background on Nnamdi Kanu's Case
Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, is currently serving a life imprisonment sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. The court found him guilty on multiple counts, including incitement, membership of a proscribed organization, and alleged involvement in attacks linked to separatist activities in the South-East region of Nigeria.
