Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed deep concern over the conviction of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing the judgment as ill-timed and capable of heightening tension in an already fragile nation.
In a statement on Friday, Obi said Nigeria is currently overwhelmed by economic hardship, insecurity, and declining public trust, warning that the conviction may worsen the situation rather than bring stability.
He repeated his long-standing position that Kanu’s arrest and prolonged detention were unnecessary, arguing that the entire matter represents a failure of leadership and a refusal to engage with underlying grievances. According to him, the issues raised by Kanu required dialogue, empathy, and inclusive governance—not force.
Obi noted that countries facing similar internal agitation often pursue political solutions, negotiated settlements, or amnesty, because legal actions alone cannot guarantee peace or national stability. He said Nigeria should adopt the same approach, especially now when citizens are struggling.
The former Anambra governor faulted the federal government’s handling of the case, saying it has deepened mistrust and shifted attention away from urgent national priorities. He urged the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected national figures to intervene and push for reconciliation.
Obi called for restraint, optimism, and renewed commitment toward peace-building, stressing that Nigeria can only progress when grievances are handled with justice, fairness, and compassion.
He said leadership requires more than a rigid application of the law, adding that nations around the world often resolve such issues through dialogue and political negotiation when legal processes cannot deliver lasting peace.
Obi concluded by urging leaders to choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division, insisting that only fairness and compassion can move Nigeria toward unity and stability.
