Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by the Nigerian government.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Obi said he would advocate for a political solution to resolve Kanu’s case and other similar issues across the country.
“For every one of them, I mean, why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me,” Obi stated when asked if he would canvass for Kanu’s release.
The former Anambra State governor expressed surprise that Kanu remains in custody over allegations of using vulgar words or speaking against the government.
“Some people said because he used vulgar words and everything. I’ve not seen it. They said he’s using vulgar words,” Obi said.
He added: “But it doesn’t bother me if I’m president whether you call me thief or 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.”
When asked how he would handle similar situations in other parts of the country, Obi said he would always attempt dialogue first before any decisive action.
“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,” he said.
Obi’s comments are likely to spark national debates as the 2027 elections draw closer, with Kanu’s continued detention remaining a sensitive political issue.
