Peter Obi Questions Continued Detention of Nnamdi Kanu, Calls for Political Solution

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has questioned the ongoing detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as unjustified and unreasonable.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the former governor of Anambra State said there is no valid reason for keeping Kanu in custody, particularly if the accusations against him revolve around the use of harsh language.

“For every one of them, I mean, why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me,” Obi said when asked whether he would support a political resolution for Kanu’s case.

Obi argued that even if Kanu used vulgar language, it should not warrant such prolonged detention.
“Some people said that because he used vulgar words and everything. I’ve not seen it. They said he’s using vulgar words. But it doesn’t bother me if I’m president, whether you call me a thief or an idiot, which they call me today. It doesn’t bother me,” he stated.

Peter Obi

“My duty as a leader is for the common man—to put food on their table,” Obi added, stressing that his priority would be to improve the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

The former presidential candidate emphasized that his approach to handling national agitations and insecurity would focus on dialogue and inclusive political solutions rather than the use of force or prolonged incarceration.

“If there are people I can talk to, I’ll talk to them… Let’s say tomorrow we have a bandit operating in the North East, I’ll meet with him. But that is just to establish a link to say enough is enough. And afterwards, I’ll deal with it decisively,” Obi said.

Obi’s remarks underscore his belief in negotiation and reconciliation as vital tools for achieving lasting peace across the country.