Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the Federal Government to prioritise dialogue and national healing following the conviction of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Obi said the judgment comes at a time when Nigerians are already battling severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the effects of poor governance. Instead of easing tensions, he warned that the development could further inflame grievances across the country.
Obi reiterated his long-standing position that Kanu should never have been arrested, arguing that his arrest, prolonged detention, and now conviction reflect a failure of leadership and a refusal to engage constructively with legitimate concerns raised by citizens.
He maintained that dialogue, inclusive governance and constructive engagement remain the most sustainable pathways to peace, insisting that coercion should only follow after every avenue of reason has been exhausted. “In this case, reason was not fully explored,” he said.
According to him, the issues Kanu consistently highlighted were neither new nor impossible to resolve, but required empathy, wisdom, and a willingness to listen. In functional societies, he said, grievances of this nature are addressed through reforms and efforts that strengthen national unity.
Obi criticised the government’s approach, describing it as one that has deepened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are already burdened by economic and security challenges. While acknowledging those who insist that the law has taken its course, he noted that leadership sometimes demands solutions beyond strict legal processes.
He pointed out that many nations adopt political solutions, negotiations, and even amnesty when legal procedures alone fail to secure peace and stability—adding that Nigeria should not be an exception.
“The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors a man trapped in a hole who keeps digging instead of finding a way out,” Obi said, warning that the approach has worsened both the government’s situation and the nation’s overall wellbeing.
Calling for a united, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, Obi urged leaders to prioritise healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division. He expressed optimism that peace and reconciliation would eventually prevail.
He appealed to the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected elder statesmen to step in and chart a durable, inclusive solution that promotes cohesion and addresses longstanding grievances.