Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the conviction of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing the development as “unfortunate” and ill-timed given the nation’s current economic and security challenges.
In a statement on Friday, Obi said the judgment should compel Nigerians and the government to reflect deeply on the country’s worsening cohesion and rising tension. According to him, the conviction may further heighten unrest rather than calm the already fragile national atmosphere.
Obi faulted the Federal Government’s long-standing approach to handling Kanu’s case, arguing that his arrest, detention and eventual conviction were avoidable and signified “a failure of leadership.”
“For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace,” he said. “Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, reason was not exhausted and may not even have been fully explored.”
He stressed that the issues Kanu raised were neither new nor impossible to resolve, adding that sincere dialogue and reforms could have addressed most of the grievances and fostered unity.
Obi further warned that the government’s hardline stance has deepened mistrust and created needless distractions at a time Nigerians are battling severe economic hardship, inflation, unemployment and insecurity.
“Leadership often demands more than the strict, mechanical application of the law,” he noted. “Many nations resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements and amnesty when legal processes alone cannot deliver peace and stability.”
He urged the Federal Government to adopt a more reconciliatory approach, saying Nigeria can only progress when justice, fairness and compassion guide national decisions.
“If we truly desire a new Nigeria—united, peaceful and progressive—our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation,” he said.
Obi called on the Presidency, the Council of State and respected elder statesmen to intervene and work towards a political solution that will promote peace and inclusivity.
He expressed optimism that peace and reconciliation would prevail in the end, despite the divergent reactions trailing the court ruling.
