Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi on Saturday described the life imprisonment of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu as a “failure of leadership” that risks inflaming tensions at a moment when Nigerians are already reeling from economic hardship and rampant insecurity.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Kanu’s Conviction: At a Time Like This,” Obi argued that the trial and verdict represent a missed opportunity to address legitimate grievances through dialogue rather than coercion.
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested,” Obi wrote. “His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”
He warned that the ruling could aggravate national divisions, stating: “Rather than reducing tension, this unfortunate development may well only aggravate it… The government’s approach has only deepened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed by harsh economic realities and insecurity.”
Obi criticised the rigid legalistic stance, asserting: “While some may insist that ‘the law has taken its course,’ leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law. Nations around the world resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability.”
Drawing a vivid metaphor, he added: “The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper.”
The two-time Anambra governor urged President Bola Tinubu, the Council of State and respected statesmen to intervene, concluding: “My ultimate call… is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end… the Presidency, the Council of State and credible statesmen who love this country… should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution.”
