Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says there is no justification for the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu was handed life imprisonment by the Abuja Federal High Court over terrorism and treasonable felony. He was later transferred to the Sokoto correctional facility, where he is serving his jail sentence.
Speaking during an engagement with supporters in Washington, D.C., United States, Obi said he would prioritise consultation and negotiation with aggrieved groups rather than prolonged detention and confrontation.
The former Anambra governor argued that individuals should not be imprisoned merely for expressing their views.
“I said repeatedly that there’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu there,” Obi said.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason whatsoever. You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on radio and calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense.”
According to Obi, public figures are often subjected to criticism and verbal attacks, which should not ordinarily attract severe punishment.
“I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names,” he said.
“And I don’t think calling me names has anything to do with whether it is an offence.”
The NDC presidential candidate said engagement rather than repression is the most effective way to address grievances expressed by separatist groups and other agitators.
“For me, I said it that even with agitators, if I’m in government today, I will discuss with them,” he said.
“I will engage with them. I will consult with them.”
Obi maintained that understanding the motivations behind agitations is essential to finding lasting solutions.
“Because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do,” he said.
“It is only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it.”
