The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has pledged to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, if elected President of Nigeria.
Speaking during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, Obi argued that there was no justification for Kanu’s continued detention, insisting that expressing opinions or criticizing political leaders should not be treated as a criminal offence.
According to the former Anambra State governor, public figures are often subjected to criticism and name-calling, which should not warrant arrest or imprisonment.
“There’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. I will free Nnamdi Kanu as President. He has done nothing wrong. The government has no reason to arrest him because he was speaking and calling people names on radio; it doesn’t make sense,” Obi said.
“Anybody can tell you anything. I’m a politician and people call me all sorts of names, and I don’t think calling me names is an offence. It’s not an offence.”
Obi further stated that his administration would prioritize dialogue and engagement with various groups agitating for self-determination and other causes across the country.
“If I am in government today, I will discuss with all agitators because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do, and it’s only by engaging them that we would learn. But I’m not in a position to do anything today,” he added.
Kanu, the leader of IPOB, is currently serving a life imprisonment sentence at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Obi’s remarks are expected to reignite debates over Kanu’s detention and the broader issue of separatist agitation in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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