Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said there is no justification for the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that Nigeria should prioritize dialogue over arrest in dealing with agitators and dissenting voices.
Obi made the remarks during a public engagement in Washington, United States, where he spoke on governance, insecurity, and national unity in Nigeria. His comments have since attracted attention back home, where the case of Nnamdi Kanu remains one of the country’s most sensitive political and legal issues.
According to Obi, detaining individuals over their spoken words or political views does not help in resolving underlying national challenges, especially in a diverse country like Nigeria where grievances often fuel agitation.
“I have said this repeatedly, there is no reason for detaining Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Obi said.
“You cannot arrest somebody just because the person was speaking on radio or calling people names. I am a politician, people have been calling me names. It doesn’t make sense. Anybody can tell you anything. It is not an offence.”
Obi argued that freedom of expression, even when it includes criticism or insults, should not automatically lead to arrest or prolonged detention. He said such approaches do not address the root causes of agitation or unrest in any society.
The former Anambra State governor added that in dealing with groups or individuals expressing dissatisfaction, government should focus more on engagement, consultation, and dialogue rather than force or intimidation.
“Even all agitators, if I am in government today, I will discuss, consult and engage them,” he said.
“Because I believe they have a reason for whatever they do, and it is only by engaging them that we will learn and see how we can solve the whole issues.”
Obi stressed that many of the groups labelled as agitators in Nigeria often act out of perceived injustice, neglect, or lack of inclusion, and that listening to them could help government understand and address their concerns.
However, he also acknowledged that he does not currently hold political office, adding that he is not in a position to implement policy decisions.
“But I am not in the position to do anything,” he said.
His comments come against the backdrop of the long-running legal and political saga surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, a group that has been at the centre of agitation for the independence of the South-East region.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 and later released on bail, before fleeing the country after his bail conditions were revoked following fresh charges. He was subsequently rearrested and brought back to Nigeria in 2021 under controversial circumstances, a development that triggered diplomatic and legal debates.
Since then, he has been facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government. His detention has remained a highly divisive issue in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East, where many of his supporters view him as a political prisoner, while the Federal Government maintains that he must face trial for alleged offences linked to national security.
Over the years, several political leaders, legal experts, and civil society organisations have called for either his release or a political solution to his case, arguing that continued detention has not reduced insecurity in parts of the country.
Obi’s latest remarks in Washington place him among a growing number of public figures advocating for dialogue as a way forward in resolving separatist tensions and broader security challenges in Nigeria.
He insisted that listening to dissenting voices does not mean approving their actions, but rather understanding their motivations in order to find lasting solutions.
While some argue that strict law enforcement is necessary to preserve national unity, others believe that dialogue, inclusion, and reconciliation offer a more sustainable path to peace.
The issue of Nnamdi Kanu continues to divide opinion across the country. In the South-East, his detention has remained a rallying point for many who feel marginalised, while in other parts of Nigeria, there are concerns that his release could embolden further agitation.
Despite the controversy, Obi maintained that engagement remains the most effective tool for resolving such issues in a diverse country like Nigeria.