Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has publicly condemned the life imprisonment sentence given to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The Labour Party stalwart described the court's decision as unfortunate and called for urgent national reconciliation.
Obi's Strong Reaction to Court Verdict
Peter Obi expressed his displeasure with the All Progressives Congress (APC) government's approach to Kanu's case, stating that the IPOB leader should never have been arrested in the first place. The opposition leader made these comments following the November 20 ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho convicted Kanu on all seven terrorism charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The court also ordered strict restrictions on Kanu's access to communication devices, permitting only supervised use by security operatives. The charges against Kanu stemmed from his agitation for the secession of southeast Nigeria and parts of the south-south region to form an independent Biafran state.
Call for Dialogue Over Confrontation
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi cautioned Nigerian authorities against actions that could promote division. He emphasized that the concerns raised by Kanu were legitimate and required thoughtful engagement rather than punitive measures.
Obi maintained that dialogue and inclusive governance represent the path to lasting peace in the region. He argued that the government's handling of the situation reflects poor leadership and a fundamental misunderstanding of the underlying issues.
Warning Against Escalating Tensions
The former Anambra state governor warned that Kanu's conviction could potentially aggravate existing tensions in Nigeria's southeast region. He described the government's approach as counterproductive, comparing it to a man trapped in a hole who keeps digging deeper instead of seeking escape.
Obi called upon the presidency, the Council of State, and credible statesmen to intervene and find a lasting solution to the conflicts arising from Biafran agitation. He stressed that wisdom, empathy, and willingness to listen could have resolved the grievances Kanu highlighted without resorting to extreme measures that might further divide the nation.
