Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government for its handling of Nnamdi Kanu’s case, cautioning that the life sentence handed down to the IPOB leader could inflame fresh unrest across the South-East.
Obi issued the warning shortly after the verdict was delivered in Abuja on Thursday, November 20. He said the judgement had heightened fear and uncertainty in a region already grappling with years of violence, security operations, and economic setbacks.
The former Anambra governor described Kanu’s conviction as a sign of leadership failure rather than a mere legal conclusion. He argued that the matter should have been addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement long before it escalated.
In a post on X, Obi said the prolonged detention and legal battles were avoidable. He maintained that the grievances raised by Kanu were “not unheard of,” insisting that proactive communication and negotiation could have prevented the deepening crisis.
He noted that the development has further eroded trust between residents and the government, at a time Nigeria battles widespread insecurity and economic hardship. Obi urged national leaders to look beyond the ruling and pursue a political solution capable of restoring peace.
He likened the government’s approach to “a man trapped in a hole who continues digging”, stressing that the current path only widens division. Obi called on the presidency and other leaders to prioritise reconciliation, adding that peace-building measures would yield better results than forceful decisions.
“If we truly desire a new Nigeria that is united, peaceful, and progressive, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has told residents that the judgement does not mark the end of the matter. He assured the public that efforts toward securing Kanu’s freedom are ongoing, saying he has “activated and will continue to work on his release.”
Otti said the ruling has caused distress among many families and amounted to a significant emotional setback for the state. He reiterated his longstanding opposition to the use of force in managing IPOB-related issues and recalled the 2017 military operation at Kanu’s Abia home, which he condemned at the time.
According to him, early missteps by authorities worsened the crisis over the years. He disclosed that since late 2023, he has been involved in discussions with senior officials to explore a political resolution. Some progress, he noted, was made during those engagements, but the judicial process extended the timeline.
With the judgement now delivered, Otti said the agreed alternative resolution pathway can move forward. He also confirmed that he discussed these plans directly with Kanu during a visit to the DSS facility earlier this year.
