Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as a critical moment for Nigerians to pause and reflect amid the country’s economic and security crises. Obi shared his views on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
Obi noted that rather than easing tension, Kanu’s conviction “may well only aggravate it.” He added that the arrest, detention, and conviction of Kanu represent “a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”
“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. In this case, I submit that the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored,” he wrote.
Obi stressed that Kanu’s grievances were legitimate and could have been addressed through discussion. “The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity,” he said.
He criticized the government’s handling of the matter, saying it has deepened public mistrust and created unnecessary distraction. “While some may insist that ‘the law has taken its course,’ leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law. 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,” Obi wrote.
Describing the government’s actions as counterproductive, he stated: “The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper. It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.”
Obi concluded with a call for healing and national unity: “If we truly desire a new Nigeria— a united, peaceful, and progressive one—our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division. Only by addressing grievances with justice, fairness, and compassion can we move towards a future where every Nigerian feels heard, valued, and safe.”
He urged optimism and intervention from statesmen and national leaders: “My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end. I am also saying, thereby, that the Presidency, the Council of State and credible statesmen who love this country and who are interested in cohesion and inclusivity, should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution.”
