Obi frowns at Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has expressed concerns over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

According to Obi, Kanu’s alleged use of vulgar words is not enough reason for his prolonged detention.

Obi described Kanu’s continued detention as “unreasonable” and “unjustifiable,” especially if the allegations are based on verbal offenses.

He questioned the rationale behind keeping Kanu in custody, stating, “For every one of them, I mean, why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me”.

Obi emphasized that as a leader, verbal attacks should not deter governance or distract from the primary responsibility of improving citizens’ lives.

He added that his duty as a leader is to put food on the table for the common man.

The presidency has reacted to Obi’s call for Kanu’s release, accusing him of having separatist tendencies.

A presidency source stated, “Peter Obi has separatist tendencies. He supports IPOB, and he has said it publicly. But he wants to lead Nigeria. That’s a total contradiction.”

The presidency insisted that the government would not interfere in Kanu’s ongoing trial, allowing the case to run its course.

IPOB has appreciated Obi’s call for Kanu’s release, describing it as a “personal expression of conscience” and a recognition of the “glaring illegality and injustice” surrounding Kanu’s detention.

IPOB warned Minister David Umahi against spreading falsehoods about ongoing negotiations for Kanu’s release

It was unjustifiable to keep Kanu in custody, especially if the allegations were based on verbal offences.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, gave the verdict on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The Anambra State former governor also lamented that it was unjustifiable to keep Kanu in custody, especially if the allegations were based on verbal offences.

“For every one of them, I mean, why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me,” Obi said when asked if he would canvass a political solution for the IPOB leader.

“Some people said that because he used vulgar words and everything. I’ve not seen it.

They said he’s using vulgar words. But it doesn’t bother me if I’m president, whether you call me a thief or an idiot, which they call me today. It doesn’t bother me.

“My duty as a leader is for the common man—to put food on their table,” he added.

Obi maintained that his approach to national agitation and insecurity would favour dialogue and inclusive political solutions, rather than prolonged detentions or military-style crackdowns.

His words: “If there are people I can talk to, I’ll talk to them… Let’s say tomorrow we have a bandit operating in the North East, I’ll meet with him. But that is just to establish a link to say enough is enough. And afterwards, I’ll deal with it decisively.”

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