Peter Obi’s call for Kanu’s release a slap on judiciary — Soludo’s aide

An aide to Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has strongly criticized presidential candidate Peter Obi for reiterating his call for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu. Ejimofor Opara, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Soludo, described Obi's remarks as a "major slap" to the Nigerian judiciary and an insult to Finland's judiciary.

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Peter Obi is a product of the Nigerian judiciary. In 2006, the judiciary restored his mandate against all known odds. The same judiciary came to his rescue in 2007 after Andy Uba had skillfully manoeuvred him out of the power game.

Obi, during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington D.C., stated that there was no justification for Kanu's continued detention. He has consistently maintained this position, even in a widely shared video. However, Opara argued that Obi's comments were careless, baseless, and self-serving, intended to undermine the judiciary that has previously benefited him.

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Peter Obi’s careless and self-serving comments on the trial, conviction, and sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu are a major slap on not just the Nigerian judiciary, but more of an insult against the judiciary of Finland, where Simon Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu’s protégé, was tried, found guilty, and is currently serving a six-year jail term for terrorism-related offences.

Opara reminded Obi that he is a "product of the Nigerian judiciary," which restored his mandate in 2006 and came to his rescue in 2007. "If there is anyone who should have utmost respect for, and become an ambassador of, the Nigerian judiciary, that person should be Peter Gregory Obi," Opara stated.

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For a man going into a major election, pandering to terrorists is not an advantage, especially when the judiciary has painstakingly committed itself to ensuring a just and open process.

The aide highlighted that Obi's comments also insult the judiciary of Finland, where Simon Ekpa, described as Kanu's protégé, was convicted of terrorism-related offenses and sentenced to six years in prison. Opara asserted that pandering to "terrorists" is not an advantage for someone seeking a major election. He concluded by urging Obi to issue an open apology to both the Nigerian and Finnish judiciaries.

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Peter owes both the Nigerian judiciary and the courts in Finland an open apology.