Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has said there is no justification for the continued imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Speaking during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington DC, United States, Obi argued that no one should be jailed for expressing opinions or insulting public figures on radio.

According to the former Anambra State governor, politicians are routinely subjected to criticism and name-calling, which should not be treated as criminal offences.

“I have said this repeatedly, there is no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu in prison. As far as I’m concerned, there is no reason whatsoever,” Obi said.

“You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on radio and calling people names. It doesn’t make sense. Anybody can tell you anything. I’m a politician; people call me all sorts of names. I don’t think calling me names is an offence.”

Obi also said that, if elected president, he would adopt dialogue rather than confrontation in addressing separatist agitations and other grievances across the country.

He said his administration would engage agitators, consult with them and seek to understand the reasons behind their demands in order to find lasting solutions.

The former governor further blamed electoral malpractice on citizens’ failure to actively defend their votes, arguing that elections would be difficult to rig if voters remained at polling units until results were collated and announced.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, after being convicted on terrorism-related charges.

During the trial, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) testified that Kanu admitted making broadcasts that allegedly incited attacks on security personnel, while another witness linked his comments to violence that followed the #EndSARS protests.

The IPOB leader has since appealed the conviction.