Peter Obi
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has reacted to the conviction of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, urging the Federal Government to prioritise dialogue, national reconciliation and inclusive governance.
Obi on his ‘X’ handle on Saturday said the development came at “a time when the country was facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance,” warning that the conviction may further heighten tension rather than reduce it.
He maintained that Kanu’s arrest, detention and conviction represented “a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested.
“His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership, ”he added.
The former Anambra State Governor said that the concerns raised by Kanu were neither new nor insoluble, insisting that the government neglected the route of dialogue.
“For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace.
“Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted, and In this case, reason was not only exhausted, it was probably not explored at all,” he argued.
He further noted that Kanu’s demands were issues that “required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen,” adding that functional societies respond to such grievances through reforms that strengthen unity.
Obi criticised the government’s approach, saying it had “deepened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed by harsh economic realities and insecurity.”
While acknowledging that some Nigerians may argue that the legal process has taken its course, Obi insisted that “leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law.”
He added: “Nations around the world resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability. Nigeria is not an exception.”
Describing the handling of the case as counterproductive, Obi said the government appeared “as a man trapped in a hole who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper.”
He called for renewed efforts toward reconciliation, saying Nigeria must choose “healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division.’
To him, “My ultimate call at this time is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end.
“The Presidency, the Council of State and credible statesmen who love this country should rise to the occasion for a lasting solution.”
