Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he does not believe there is any justification for keeping Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), behind bars.
Speaking during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington DC, United States, Obi argued that people should not be arrested simply for making comments or expressing opinions, even when such remarks are critical of others.
According to him, politicians are frequently subjected to insults and criticism, and such comments should not automatically be treated as criminal offences.
“There is no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu in prison. You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on radio and calling people names,” Obi said.
The former governor stated that if given the opportunity to lead the country, he would engage with agitators and groups expressing grievances rather than relying solely on force or detention.
Obi said dialogue remains the best approach to understanding the concerns of aggrieved groups and finding lasting solutions to their demands.
He also spoke on Nigeria’s electoral process, arguing that elections are often manipulated because citizens fail to adequately protect their votes. According to him, electoral malpractice can be reduced if voters remain vigilant and stay at polling units after casting their ballots.
Background On Kanu’s Case
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being convicted on terrorism-related charges.
During the trial, security officials alleged that Kanu made statements that incited violence and attacks on security personnel. He was also linked by prosecution witnesses to unrest that followed the #EndSARS protests.
The IPOB leader has since appealed the judgment.
