The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has pledged to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, if elected President of Nigeria.
Speaking during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, the former Anambra State governor argued that Kanu’s continued detention is unjustified, insisting that comments made on Radio Biafra do not warrant imprisonment.
Obi maintained that freedom of expression should not be criminalised, noting that public figures, including politicians, are frequently subjected to criticism and insults without resorting to arrests.
“There is no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. I will free Nnamdi Kanu as President. He has done nothing wrong. The government has no reason to arrest him because he was speaking and calling people names on radio. It doesn’t make sense,” Obi said.
“Anybody can tell you anything. I’m a politician and people call me all sorts of names. I don’t think calling me names is an offence. It is not an offence.”
The former governor also pledged to adopt dialogue rather than force in addressing separatist agitations and other grievances across the country.
“If I am in government today, I will discuss with all agitators because I believe they have reasons for whatever they want to do. It is only by engaging them that we can understand their concerns and find lasting solutions,” he added.
Obi stressed that meaningful engagement remains the most effective path to resolving conflicts and restoring national unity.
Kanu, the IPOB leader, is currently serving a life imprisonment sentence at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
