Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has called on President Bola Tinubu to comply with a court order and release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, so he can enjoy his bail.
Speaking in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Saturday, the former Anambra State governor addressed journalists regarding Kanu’s detention by the Nigerian government despite being granted bail by the courts.
“I see no reason for Mr. Kanu’s continued detention, especially since the courts have granted him bail. The government must adhere to the court’s ruling. We are in a democracy, and we should not engage in arbitrary actions outside the law. The rule of law is a crucial asset that we must uphold and respect. I urge the Federal Government to ensure that all individuals in similar situations are released and given fair treatment,” Obi stated.
He also voiced concerns about the country’s security situation. “The primary duty of any government is to ensure the security of its citizens. The current state of affairs in Nigeria, with frequent reports of killings, abductions, and other crimes, is alarming and threatens national stability. It is troubling that Nigeria has become one of the most insecure places on earth, and this situation is leading towards a failed state,” he added.
Obi’s appeal for the IPOB leader’s release aligns with similar calls from Atiku Abubakar, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate and former vice president.
Following the recent killing of Nigerian soldiers by suspected gunmen, Abubakar urged the federal government to seek political solutions to Kanu’s detention to mitigate violence in the South-East.
Nnamdi Kanu was abducted and repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya on July 1, 2021, after fleeing the country following a military raid on his home during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
