The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the conviction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying the development will worsen national tension at a time Nigeria is battling economic hardship, insecurity, and widespread discontent.
In a statement on Saturday, Obi said the decision represents “a failure of leadership” and reflects the government’s refusal to adopt dialogue and inclusive governance as tools for stability.
He said Kanu’s arrest, prolonged detention and eventual conviction were unnecessary and avoidable, noting that the issues the IPOB leader raised could have been addressed through engagement rather than coercion.
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested. His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake,” Obi said.
He stressed that the grievances raised by Kanu were neither strange nor beyond resolution, adding that responsible leadership requires listening, empathy and reform—not force.
“The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of, and the issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen,” he stated.
Obi warned that the conviction may further deepen mistrust between citizens and government, arguing that Nigeria should follow the example of other nations that deploy political solutions and negotiated settlements in situations where strict legal processes fail to guarantee peace.
According to him, “The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper. It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.”
He urged national leaders, including the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected elder statesmen, to intervene and chart a path toward reconciliation.
Obi said the moment calls for healing rather than hostility, insisting that a peaceful and united Nigeria can only be achieved through fairness, justice, and a willingness to address legitimate grievances.
“If we truly desire a new Nigeria—one that is united, peaceful, and progressive—our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” he added.
Obi concluded by calling for optimism, peace, and a renewed commitment to inclusivity in seeking a lasting resolution to the long-running tensions surrounding Kanu’s case.