Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has warned that the conviction and sentencing of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will further escalate tension in the country.
In a statement released on Friday, November 22, Obi said Kanu should never have been arrested in the first place, insisting that his arrest, prolonged detention, and now conviction reflect “a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”
Obi argued that the grievances raised by Kanu were neither new nor impossible to address. According to him, they only required “wisdom, empathy, and a willingness of the government to listen and provide solutions.”
The former governor of Anambra State criticised the Federal Government’s approach, saying it has deepened mistrust and created an unnecessary distraction at a time when Nigerians are battling severe economic hardship and insecurity.
Quoting his statement titled “Kanu’s Conviction: At a Time Like This,” Obi said:
“The news of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction should compel every well-meaning Nigerian to pause and reflect. Rather than reducing tension, this unfortunate development may well only aggravate it.”
He reiterated that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance remain the best path to lasting peace, stressing that coercion should only be used when all avenues of reasoning have been exhausted — which he argues was not the case with Kanu.
Obi added that many countries adopt political solutions, negotiated settlements, or amnesty when legal processes cannot guarantee long-term stability, noting that Nigeria should not be an exception.
Describing the government’s handling of Kanu’s case as “a man trapped in a hole who keeps digging deeper,” Obi warned that the situation worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective well-being.
He urged national leaders — including the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected statesmen — to rise to the occasion and seek a lasting, reconciliatory solution.
“If we truly desire a united, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” he said.
Obi concluded by expressing hope for peace and reconciliation, urging Nigerians to remain optimistic despite differing opinions on the court’s decision.
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