A former Governor of Anambra State and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has cautioned that the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu may deepen existing tensions across the country. Obi issued the warning in a statement shared on his official X account on Saturday, shortly after the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered its judgment against the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
The court’s decision, which includes both conviction and sentencing, has drawn wide public attention, with renewed debate over the broader implications for national unity and security. In his reaction, Obi argued that the government’s handling of the case failed to address underlying grievances that have fueled agitation in the South-East and beyond. He maintained that a more deliberate effort at dialogue could have helped ease tensions and foster understanding.
Obi described Kanu’s arrest, long detention and eventual conviction as a missed opportunity to engage with concerns he believes should have been examined through constructive negotiation. He noted that the country is already grappling with serious pressures, including economic hardship, insecurity and declining public confidence in institutions, and cautioned that the latest development risks compounding these challenges.
In his statement, Obi urged Nigerians to reflect carefully on the wider context of the judgment. He reiterated his long-standing position that Kanu’s arrest and the actions that followed were ill-advised and represented a breakdown in leadership at a time when the nation required a more measured approach.
Obi called for renewed commitment to national cohesion, insisting that engagement, inclusion and open dialogue remain the most effective pathways to reduce tension and strengthen stability.
