Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has renewed his call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that there is no justification for his continued detention.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, made the call during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., United States, according to a video circulated by his supporters.
The ex-presidential candidate maintained that Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, should not be held for actions such as making comments on radio or criticising public figures.
“I have said it repeatedly, there is no reason whatsoever for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on the radio or calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense,” Obi said.
Drawing from his experience in politics, Obi noted that public office holders are frequently subjected to verbal attacks, stressing that such actions should not be criminalised.
“I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names, but that has nothing to do with committing an offence,” he added.
Obi also advocated dialogue as a more effective approach to addressing agitation across the country, promising that he would prioritise engagement if given the opportunity to lead.
“Even agitators, if I am in government, I will discuss with them and consult with them. They have reasons for their actions, and it is only through engagement that we can understand and resolve the issues,” he said.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges, including incitement and membership of a proscribed organisation.
The IPOB leader has, however, rejected the verdict and filed an appeal, with his legal team arguing that the trial was flawed and urging the appellate court to overturn the judgment.
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