“No reason for detaining Kanu”, says Peter Obi about IPOB leader’s life sentence

Peter Obi Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate has declared there is “no reason whatsoever” for the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking during a recent town hall with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., the former Anambra State governor strongly condemned locking individuals up for broadcasted rhetoric, labeling the practice nonsensical. Obi pledged that if elected president, his administration would immediately pivot away from state-sponsored detentions and instead engage in direct, consultative dialogue with all regional agitators to resolve their underlying grievances.

The presidential hopeful argued that individuals should not be detained simply for expressing their views on the radio or heavily criticizing leadership. Drawing from his own experiences in the political arena, Obi remarked that public figures are frequently subjected to insults and name-calling, which he does not view as criminal offenses. He asserted that a democratic government should not treat vocal criticism or broadcasted rhetoric as grounds for long-term incarceration.

If he wins the presidency, Obi vowed to prioritize dialogue over detention by directly engaging, consulting, and negotiating with all agitators across the country. He explained that these groups generally have underlying grievances driving their actions. According to Obi, the only sustainable way to resolve these deep-rooted issues and maintain national stability is to understand their perspectives through constructive communication.

Turning his attention to the country’s democratic process, the NDC candidate also addressed widespread electoral malpractice. Obi claimed that election rigging persists in Nigeria primarily because the citizens allow it to happen. He urged voters to take active responsibility for their democracy by remaining at their respective polling units after casting their ballots to protect and monitor the vote count.

Obi’s comments follow a major legal development in November 2025, when James Omotosho judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment. The IPOB leader was convicted on multiple terrorism-related charges, receiving a life sentence for counts one, four, five, and six of a seven-count charge. Additionally, the court handed Kanu separate sentences of 20 years and five years for counts three and seven, respectively.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence from Department of State Services (DSS) operatives. One officer testified that Kanu admitted during interrogation to inciting attacks against police personnel, while another operative linked the widespread violence that followed the #EndSARS protests to Kanu’s broadcasted remarks. Kanu has since filed an appeal against his terrorism conviction.