- He faulted the government for relying on coercion rather than reforms or negotiation
- Obi insisted that many of Kanu’s grievances were long-standing concerns that required empathy
- He argued that Kanu’s arrest, trial, and eventual conviction were avoidable
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has cautioned that the conviction of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu could fuel deeper instability across the country if not managed with wisdom.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Obi, in a message shared on his X handle on Saturday, warned that the judgment risks inflaming tensions at a time Nigeria is already grappling with worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
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He argued that Kanu’s arrest, trial, and eventual conviction were avoidable and reflected a failure of leadership and an unwillingness to engage the underlying issues through dialogue.
Obi insisted that many of Kanu’s grievances were long-standing concerns that required empathy and strategic engagement rather than force.
The former Anambra governor faulted the government for relying on coercion rather than reforms or negotiation, noting that “reason was not fully explored, if at all.”
He urged Nigerians to remain calm while calling on the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected national figures to intervene for peace.
Obi stressed that sustainable unity will only emerge if the country prioritises healing, justice, fairness and compassionate dialogue.
His appeal came days after the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on several terrorism-related charges, while giving additional terms of 20 years and five years on other counts.
Kanu was convicted based on recordings, directives and activities tied to IPOB’s secessionist movement, which the court ruled qualified as terrorism under Nigerian law.
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