Peter Obi Calls For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Says No Reason To Keep Him In Detention
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has reiterated his position that the continued incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is unjustifiable, insisting that there is no basis for keeping him in detention.
Obi made the remarks during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., United States, in a video that has since circulated widely on social media platforms.
According to members of the Obidient Movement, the interaction took place earlier this week during Obi’s visit to the United States.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that he had consistently advocated for Kanu’s release, arguing that expressing opinions or making controversial statements should not attract prolonged detention.
“I said it repeatedly that there’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason, no reason whatsoever,” Obi said.
“You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on the radio or calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense.”
Drawing parallels with his own experience in politics, Obi noted that public office holders are routinely subjected to criticism, insults and name-calling, stressing that such actions should not be criminalised.
“I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names. And I don’t think calling me names has anything to do with anything. It’s not an offence,” he added.
Obi further stated that dialogue remains the most effective approach to addressing separatist agitations and other grievances across the country, saying he would prioritise engagement over confrontation if entrusted with leadership.
According to him, meaningful discussions with aggrieved groups would enable government authorities to better understand the motivations behind their demands and work towards sustainable solutions.
“Even all agitators, if I’m in government today, I will discuss with them. I will engage with them,” he said.
“I will consult with them because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It’s only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it. But I am not in a position to do anything today.”
Kanu, who leads IPOB, is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025.
The court found him guilty on several counts, including incitement, membership of a proscribed organisation and offences linked to separatist activities in the South-East.
He received life imprisonment on some counts, while additional prison terms imposed on other counts are running concurrently.
Kanu has, however, rejected the verdict and subsequently filed an appeal challenging both his conviction and the sentence handed down by the court.