Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the conviction and sentencing of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment. In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Saturday, Obi warned that the development comes at a time when Nigerians are already grappling with severe economic hardship, heightened insecurity, and what he described as the consequences of prolonged poor governance.
According to the former Anambra State governor, Kanu’s arrest, prolonged detention, and now his sentencing represent a clear failure of leadership and a fundamental misreading of the underlying issues that fueled Kanu’s agitation in the first place.
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested,” petwr Obi said, noting that he has consistently advocated for dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance as the only sustainable path to peace.
“Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, I submit that reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored.”
Obi stressed that the concerns raised by Kanu were not unfamiliar, nor were the issues he demanded solutions for impossible to address. What was required, he argued, was leadership rooted in empathy, wisdom, and genuine willingness to engage. Instead, he said, the government’s approach has further deepened mistrust and added an unnecessary distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed by rising inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.
While acknowledging that some may insist the law has simply taken its course, Peter Obi emphasized that leadership often transcends rigid legalism. Around the world, he said, nations adopt political solutions, negotiate settlements, or even grant amnesty in situations where strict legal processes cannot adequately resolve deeper national tensions. Nigeria, he insisted, should be no exception.
“The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper,” peter Obi remarked.
“It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.”
He reiterated that if Nigeria is to move toward a truly united, peaceful, and progressive future, its leaders must prioritize healing over hostility and dialogue over division. Justice, compassion, and fairness, he said, must guide efforts to address long-standing grievances.
Peter Obi concluded with a call for optimism and reconciliation despite the emotionally charged nature of the court’s decision. He urged the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected statesmen across the country to take decisive steps toward a lasting and inclusive solution.
“My ultimate call at this time,” he said, “is for us to remain optimistic for peace and reconciliation. The Presidency, the Council of State, and credible statesmen who love this country must rise to the occasion for a lasting solution.”
