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No reason to keep Nnamdi Kanu in detention, says Obi

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi reiterated his call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
  • Obi argued that there is no justification for Kanu's continued detention, stating that criticism and name-calling should not be treated as criminal offenses.
  • He expressed a commitment to using dialogue to address agitations across the country if elected, believing engagement is key to understanding and solving underlying issues.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has reiterated his call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Obi stated that there is no justification for the continued detention of Kanu, emphasizing that Kanu should not remain in custody.

"I said it repeatedly that there’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason, no reason whatsoever. You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on the radio or calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense," Obi said during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C.

I said it repeatedly that there’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason, no reason whatsoever. You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on the radio or calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense.

— Peter ObiPresidential candidate Peter Obi explaining his stance on Nnamdi Kanu's continued detention.

Drawing from his experience as a politician, Obi explained that public figures are often subjected to criticism and name-calling, which he believes should not be treated as a criminal offense. "I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names. And I don’t think calling me names has anything to do with… It’s not an offence," he stated.

I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names. And I don’t think calling me names has anything to do with… It’s not an offence.

— Peter ObiPeter Obi drawing parallels between criticism of politicians and Nnamdi Kanu's alleged offenses.

Obi also said he would adopt dialogue in addressing agitations across the country if given the opportunity to lead. According to him, engaging agitators would help the government understand the issues driving their demands and find lasting solutions. "Even all agitators, if I’m in government today, I will discuss with them. I will engage with them. I will consult with them. Because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It’s only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it. But I am not in a position to do anything today," Obi added.

Kanu is currently serving a life imprisonment sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. The court found him guilty of multiple counts bordering on incitement, membership of a proscribed organisation, and alleged involvement in attacks linked to separatist activities in the South-East. Kanu has since rejected the judgment and filed an appeal, challenging both his conviction and sentence. His legal team maintains that the trial was unfair.

Even all agitators, if I’m in government today, I will discuss with them. I will engage with them. I will consult with them. Because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It’s only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it. But I am not in a position to do anything today.

— Peter ObiPeter Obi outlining his approach to addressing agitations through dialogue if he were in government.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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