Backs Negotiation with Insurgents
- Safiu Kehinde
The 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the trial of convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, stressing that there is no reason for arresting and detaining him.
NPO Reported that Kanu was in November 2025 sentenced to life imprisonment by the Abuja Federal High Court.
He was convicted of the terrorism charge filed against him by the Federal Government after 10 years on trial.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, declared the IPOB leader guilty of all the seven counts contained in the charge against him.
Notable in the charge was the first count which Kanu was found guilty of act of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria by making broadcast by threatening that people will die and the world will be at a standstill.
The judge read out some exhibit culled from recorded audios of Kanu where he was heard ordering the killings of policemen and soldiers.
Reflecting on the judgement during a recent engagement with a group of Nigerian diaspora community, Obi faulted the ruling.
The former Anambra state governor, in his address captured in a video shared on X on Friday, claimed that the Federal Government cannot arrest someone for just speaking on radio.
“I have said this repeatedly; there is no reason for detaining Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
‘You cannot arrest somebody just because the person is speaking on radio. I am a politician; people have been calling me names.” He said.
Obi also expressed his support for negotiating with insurgents and agitators as he disclosed that will engage and consult them if elected as President.
“Even for all agitators, if I am in government today, I will discuss with them.
“I will engage and consult them because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It is only by engaging them that we will learn and see how we can solve it and everything.” He said.