Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has renewed his call for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that there is no justification for his continued incarceration.
Obi made the remarks during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., United States, a video of which has circulated widely on social media. According to the Obidient Movement, the engagement took place a few days earlier.
He maintained that his position on Kanu’s detention has remained consistent over time, arguing that the matter does not warrant continued imprisonment.
“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.
The former Anambra State governor also argued that expressing dissent or criticism should not be criminalised, noting that public officials are routinely subjected to insults and name-calling.
“You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on the radio or calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense,” he stated.
Drawing from his experience in politics, Obi added that criticism is part of public life and should not form the basis for criminal charges.
“I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names. And I don’t think calling me names has anything to do with… It’s not an offence,” he said.
He further stressed that engagement and dialogue remain the most effective ways to address separatist agitations and other forms of unrest in the country.
“Even all agitators, if I’m in government today, I will discuss with them. I will engage with them. I will consult with them,” Obi said.
“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.”
However, he clarified that he currently has no executive authority to take action on the matter.
Meanwhile, Kanu, who leads IPOB, is serving a life sentence following his conviction by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges.
The court found him guilty of multiple offences, including incitement, membership of a proscribed organisation, and alleged involvement in attacks linked to separatist activities in the South-East.
He was handed life imprisonment on some counts, with additional sentences on others ordered to run concurrently.
Kanu has rejected the judgment and has filed an appeal challenging both his conviction and sentencing, while his legal team insists the trial was unfair and is seeking to have the ruling overturned.
