Peter Obi on Nnamdi Kanu has once again become a topic of public discussion after the former Labour Party presidential candidate spoke against the continued detention of the IPOB leader, insisting that there is no reason for him to remain in custody.
Speaking during an event in Washington, Obi argued that people should not be arrested simply for expressing their opinions.
He called on authorities to embrace dialogue and engagement rather than force when dealing with agitators and individuals with opposing views.
Peter Obi Calls for Dialogue Instead of Detention
According to Obi, lasting solutions can only be achieved through conversation and understanding, not by silencing people.
“I have said this repeatedly, there is no reason for detaining Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. You cannot arrest somebody just because the person is speaking on radio,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor also reflected on his own experience in politics, noting that criticism is something public officials face regularly.
“I am a politician. People have been calling me names, and it’s not an offence,” Obi added.
Furthermore, he stressed that governments should be willing to listen to those with grievances, regardless of their beliefs or demands. In his view, engaging with agitators offers a better path to peace and national unity than confrontation.
Obi said that if he were in government today, he would choose discussion over hostility.
“Even all agitators, if I was in government today, I would discuss with them and engage with them. I would consult them because if they have a reason for whatever they want to do, it is only by engaging them that we will understand and see how we can resolve the issue,” he said.
However, Obi acknowledged that he is currently not in public office and therefore does not have the power to act on such proposals.
“But I am not in a position to do anything today,” he stated.
The latest comments from Obi have once again drawn attention to the debate surrounding Kanu’s detention and how governments should respond to political agitation.
As discussions continue across the country, Peter Obi on Nnamdi Kanu remains a subject that continues to generate strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.
