Peter Obi Faults Nnamdi Kanu’s Life Sentence, Calls It a Leadership Failure

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023general elections, Peter Obi, has reacted to the conviction and sentencing tolife imprisonment of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,Nnamdi Kanu. In a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, Obi said thesentencing is coming at a time when Nigeria is facing severe economic hardship,insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance, adding that rather thanreducing tension, the unfortunate development may well only aggravate it. The former Anambra state governors stated that Kanu’sarrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and amisunderstanding of the issues at stake. “I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never havebeen arrested. For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue,constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lastingpeace. Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. “In this case, I submit that the reason was not only notexhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored. Theconcerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demandedsolutions were not insoluble. “It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness tolisten. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue andreforms aimed at strengthening unity. “The government’s approach has only deepened mistrust andcreated an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed byharsh economic realities and insecurity. “While some may insist that the law has taken its course,leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law.Nations around the world resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements,and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interestof peace and stability. Nigeria is not an exception. “The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a mantrapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps diggingdeeper. It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’scollective condition. “If we truly desire a new Nigeria – a united, peaceful, andprogressive one, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliationover retaliation, and dialogue over division. Only by addressing grievanceswith justice, fairness, and compassion can we move towards a future where everyNigerian feels heard, valued, and safe. “My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to howanyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic forpeace and reconciliation which will come in the end. “I am also saying, thereby, that the Presidency, the Councilof State and credible statesmen who love this country and who are interested incohesion and inclusivity, should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution.”

Read More