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Former Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says the conviction and sentencing of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, last will only aggravate the tension in Nigeria.

In a statement he released this afternoon November 22, Obi maintained that Kanu should never have been arrested. He opined that Kanu's arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.



Obi argued that the concerns Kanu raised were not "unheard of, the issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble and that it only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness of the government to listen to them and proffer solutions."



The former Anambra state governor said that the Federal 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.



His statement reads

‘’Kanu’s Conviction: At a Time Like This.

The news of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction should compel every well-meaning Nigerian to pause and reflect. This is coming at a time when our beloved nation is facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance.

Rather than reducing tension, this unfortunate development may well only aggravate it.

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.

For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace. Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, I submit that the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored.
The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. 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.
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. While some may insist that “the law has taken its course,” leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law. Nations around the world resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability. Nigeria is not an exception.

The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole but 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.
If we truly desire a new Nigeria - a united, peaceful, and progressive one, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division. Only by addressing grievances with justice, fairness, and compassion can we move towards a future where every Nigerian feels heard, valued, and safe.

My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end. I am also saying, thereby, that the Presidency, the Council of State and credible statesmen who love this country and who are interested in cohesion and inclusivity, should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution.''

Let him face the penalty

So will it not be injustice if Simon Ekpa, the second in command of the Ipob terrorist is serving his jail term in Finland and then the chief ipob terrorist Nnamdi Kanu is left free. How does that sound in the ear of this dumb Peter Obi and why didn't he ask the Finland government to release Simon Ekpa too?

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Seriously this man cannot rule this diverse nation. Saying it was wrong of the government to convict and jail him. And Obi himself was in Nigeria when Kanu was threatening the southwest particularly Lagos State, instructing his foot soldiers to burn Lagos down and also kill all security agents in the Southeast.

mascot87:
So will it not be injustice if Simon Ekpa, the second in command of the Ipob terrorist is serving his jail term in Finland and then the chief ipob terrorist Nnamdi Kanu is left free. How does that sound in the ear of this dumb Peter Obi and why didn't he ask the Finland government to release Simon Ekpa too?

Sorry to say this, Peter Obi is evil. Have he listened to Kanu's broadcasts on radio biafra? I have and it chilled me to the bones. It was worse than the cockroach broadcasts of Rwanda that fuelled the Rwandan genocide. Selective memory is evil. Peter Obi doesn't have the courage expected of the commander-in-chief.

Obi believed because some people might misbehave if Nnamdi Kanu is jailed then he should be acquitted and not made to do the time for all his atrocities. The man was given so many opportunities to defend himself but he refused and instead was throwing tantrums and abusing everybody in court.

Is it not an irony that those that did not know the law convicted him Kanu that knows the law and jail him for life.

THAT DRAMA BEFORE THE LORDS JUSTICES WAS X-RATED.
AND THAT WAS WHAT PROMOTED NNAMDI KANU STRAIGHT TO "INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST".
SOKOTO IS THE BEST JAIL FOR HIM.
KUDOS TO OUR JUSTICES.
DEATH TO BOKOHARAMS AND TERRORISTS EVERYWHERE IN NIGERIA.

PastorTimothy3:
Let him face the penalty

NIGERIA JUDGES ARE EDUCATED, SKILFUL AND EXCELLENTO. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL.

PastorTimothy3:
Let him face the penalty

NIGERIA JUDGES ARE EDUCATED, SKILFUL AND EXCELLENTO. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL IJN AMEN.