Continued Detention of Nnamdi Kanu Unjustified, Peter Obi Reiterates

Former Anambra State Governor and prominent political figure Peter Obi has renewed his call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, asserting that there is no remaining justification for the continued imprisonment of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Obi made these remarks during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian diaspora in Washington, D.C. Video footage from the event, which took place during a recent tour, has circulated widely on social media platforms.

The political leader emphasized that vocal criticism and broadcasted rhetoric should not be treated as criminal offenses worthy of indefinite incarceration.

“I have said it repeatedly that there is no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. As far as I am concerned, there is no reason whatsoever,” Obi stated. “You cannot arrest someone because he was speaking on the radio or calling people names. As a politician, people call me all sorts of names, and I do not view that as a criminal offense.”

Obi further outlined his philosophy on handling regional and political dissent, advocating for direct communication over judicial or military crackdowns. He noted that if he were leading the government, he would actively engage and consult with regional agitators to understand and resolve the core grievances driving their movements.

“I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It is only by engaging them that we can learn and find ways to solve these issues,” he added.

Kanu has remained in state custody following an November 2025 ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, which sentenced him to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges. The court found the IPOB leader guilty on multiple counts, including incitement, membership in a proscribed organization, and alleged connections to separatist violence in the South-East region.

Kanu’s legal team has since rejected the High Court’s verdict, labeling the trial unfair, and has filed a formal appeal seeking to overturn both the conviction and the life sentence.