Peter Obi says Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention “doesn’t make sense”

Peter Obi, a presidential aspirant for the 2027 elections, has criticized the Nigerian government for still detaining Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Obi argued that Kanu shouldn’t be jailed just for using “vulgar words” or insulting those in government.

> “It does not make sense to me… It doesn’t bother me if I’m president whether you call me thief or idiot… My duty as a leader is for the common man to put food on their table,” he said.

Obi also stressed that he would seek political solutions not just in Kanu’s case, but in similar situations across the country. He explained that as president, he would first open dialogue — even with violent actors like bandits — to establish communication, before taking decisive action.

> “If there are people I can talk to, I’ll talk to them… enough is enough. And afterwards, I’ll deal with it decisively,” Obi added.