Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly criticized the life imprisonment handed to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, calling for dialogue instead of prosecution.
Obi's Strong Condemnation
In a statement released on his X social media platform, the 2023 presidential contender described Kanu's arrest, detention, and subsequent conviction as a clear failure of leadership. Obi maintained that political engagement had not been adequately explored before pursuing legal action against the separatist leader.
The former Anambra State governor revealed he had consistently opposed Kanu's initial arrest, arguing that the issues raised by the IPOB leader could have been resolved through consultations and institutional reforms rather than courtroom battles.
Timing and Broader Implications
Obi emphasized that the judgment came at a particularly difficult time for Nigerians, with widespread economic hardship and insecurity affecting multiple regions across the country. He connected the handling of Kanu's case to what he characterized as broader governance failures.
"The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of," Obi stated. "The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity."
International Precedents and Call to Action
The politician referenced international examples where political settlements successfully resolved internal disputes when legal measures alone proved insufficient. He urged the Federal Government to prioritize measures that strengthen inclusion and national cohesion.
Obi specifically called on the Presidency, the Council of State, and senior national figures to intervene and prevent further deterioration of the situation in the Southeast. He concluded his statement with an appeal for peace and reconciliation, emphasizing that dialogue remains essential for lasting settlement.
"My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation, which will come in the end," Obi declared.
Nnamdi Kanu received his life sentence this week from the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges. The IPOB leader has been in detention since 2021 following his controversial transfer from Kenya, which his legal team describes as extraordinary rendition - a claim the Federal Government consistently denies.
IPOB, which campaigns for an independent Biafran state in Nigeria's Southeast, was designated a terrorist organization by Nigerian authorities in 2017. Security challenges have persisted in the region since that designation.
Earlier this month, security forces reported encounters with armed groups suspected of separatist links in rural Anambra, leading to temporary roadblocks and movement restrictions that disrupted commercial transportation and school schedules according to local officials.
