Peter Obi has warned that the life sentence handed to the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, may heighten the country’s growing tension rather than calm it.
Obi, who was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, reacted on Saturday in a post on his verified X handle.
He said the development came at a difficult time when many Nigerians were struggling with hardship, insecurity and the effects of poor governance.
He described the sentencing as “a failure of leadership” and argued that the government ignored opportunities for dialogue.
According to him, “I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested. For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace.”
Obi said the issues raised by Kanu were not impossible to resolve and should have been addressed through a more thoughtful and empathetic approach.
He added, “It only required wisdom, empathy and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity.”
He noted that while some people may believe the law had taken its course, leadership often required more than strict legal processes.
He pointed out that other countries had adopted political solutions when legal actions risked harming national stability.
Obi stated, “The government’s approach has only deepened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed by harsh economic realities and insecurity.”
He urged the Presidency, the Council of State and respected national figures to step forward and seek a political resolution that would foster unity and reconciliation.
Obi said his hope was for “peace and reconciliation which will come in the end,” adding that Nigeria needed healing and fairness to move forward.
