The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has questioned the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing the situation as unreasonable.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the former Anambra State governor said it was unjustifiable to keep Kanu in custody, especially if the allegations were based on verbal offences.
“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 a political solution for the IPOB leader.
Obi said Kanu’s alleged use of vulgar words was not enough reason for his continued detention.
“Some people said that because he used vulgar words and everything. I’ve not seen it. They said he’s using vulgar words. But it doesn’t bother me if I’m president, whether you call me a thief or an 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,” he added.
Obi maintained that his approach to national agitation and insecurity would favour dialogue and inclusive political solutions, rather than prolonged detentions or military-style crackdowns.
He said, “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.”
