"It Doesn't Make Sense": Peter Obi Questions Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention, Urges Political Solution to National Conflicts

 

Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and a major contender for the 2027 presidential election, has openly called for a political solution to the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). His remarks, made during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on July 6, have sparked national interest, as they offer a significant departure from the traditional hardline approach of successive administrations.

While engaging with the host on issues ranging from national unity to internal security, Obi questioned the rationale behind Kanu’s continued incarceration. His concerns stem from the nature of the allegations against Kanu, which, according to Obi, appear to revolve primarily around the use of inflammatory or vulgar language against government officials.

"Why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me," Obi stated pointedly. He further argued that if the offenses were largely verbal, then holding someone indefinitely was unjustified and counterproductive. His message was clear: detaining individuals indefinitely for speech-related offenses does little to heal national divisions or promote peace.

Obi’s comments come at a time when public sentiment around the Kanu case remains deeply divided. While some Nigerians see the IPOB leader as a symbol of the fight against marginalization in the Southeast, others view him as a destabilizing force. Yet, Obi refused to be drawn into ideological debates. Instead, he focused on practical governance, drawing a line between personal criticism and national duty.

“If I’m president and you call me a thief or an idiot  which they already do  it wouldn’t bother me,” he said with a calm conviction. “My duty is to ensure the common man has food on the table.”

That single statement underscored Obi’s broader philosophy of leadership. Rather than fixating on personal attacks or vendettas, his attention, he said, would be directed toward delivering results to the people. Feeding the hungry, lifting the poor, and healing national wounds were his priorities, not settling political scores.

During the interview, he reiterated his support for peaceful, inclusive dialogue as a viable route to addressing deep-rooted grievances across Nigeria. Whether the issue lies in the Southeast, where the call for Biafra still echoes, or in the Northeast plagued by insurgency, Obi stressed that engagement must be the first step.

“If there are people I can talk to, I’ll talk to them,” he affirmed, when asked how he would handle groups similar to IPOB or violent non-state actors. “Let’s say tomorrow we have a bandit leader operating in the Northeast, I’d meet with him. That’s just to establish a link to say enough is enough. And afterwards, I’ll deal with it decisively.”

By proposing such a layered approach, Obi underscored a leadership style built on communication first and action later. While he acknowledged that security threats cannot be allowed to fester, he made it clear that brute force is not the only tool available to government.

His stance on the Kanu issue has drawn praise from some quarters and criticism from others. To his supporters, Obi represents a refreshing voice of reason in a political landscape often dominated by rigid ideologies and reactionary governance. His insistence on political dialogue resonates with many who believe Nigeria’s greatest challenges cannot be solved through military might alone.

For critics, however, his willingness to speak with so-called enemies of the state raises concerns about undermining the authority of state institutions or encouraging extremism. But Obi’s supporters argue that dialogue does not equate to endorsement; rather, it reflects a pragmatic understanding of what it takes to unite a deeply fragmented country.

In his closing remarks on the program, Obi repeated his long-held belief that Nigeria’s future depends on inclusivity. “You cannot build a peaceful country by excluding people or silencing them. We must listen, we must talk, and then we must act wisely.”

As the 2027 elections draw nearer, Obi’s remarks are bound to fuel political debate, especially among Nigerians yearning for a shift in how their leaders tackle national unrest. Whether his call for dialogue will influence current government policy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Peter Obi has once again positioned himself as a thoughtful, people-oriented leader who prefers bridges over barricades.