The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the conviction of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as a development that could further heighten tension in the country.
In a statement on his official x account, Obi said the judgement came at a time Nigerians were already grappling with severe economic hardship, rising insecurity and the effects of what he termed years of poor governance.
He warned that rather than calming nerves, the decision was likely to worsen the nation’s fragile atmosphere.
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“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested,” Obi said. “His arrest, detention and now conviction reflect a failure of leadership and a misreading of the issues at stake.”
Obi noted that he had consistently advocated dialogue, constructive engagement and inclusive governance as the pathway to sustainable peace, stressing that coercion should only be applied when all reasonable avenues for dialogue have been exhausted.
According to him, the concerns raised by Kanu were neither new nor impossible to resolve, adding that the situation required wisdom, empathy and genuine willingness to listen.
He said functional societies respond to such grievances with reforms and discussions aimed at strengthening national unity.
Obi faulted the government’s handling of the matter, saying it had deepened mistrust and served as an avoidable distraction at a time Nigerians were facing harsh economic realities.
“Leadership demands more than a mechanical application of the law,” he said. “Many nations adopt political solutions, negotiated settlements or even amnesty when legal routes alone cannot guarantee peace and stability. Nigeria should not be an exception.”
He likened the government’s approach to “a man trapped in a hole who keeps digging deeper”, warning that the strategy worsened both the country’s challenges and the government’s credibility.
Obi urged leaders to prioritise reconciliation over retaliation and dialogue over division, insisting that justice, fairness and compassion were necessary to build a nation where all citizens feel valued and secure.
While acknowledging differing opinions on the court ruling, the former governor expressed optimism that peace and reconciliation were still attainable.
He called on the Presidency, the Council of State and respected elder statesmen to step in and pursue a lasting, inclusive solution to the lingering tensions surrounding Kanu’s case.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
