Nigerian Presidential Aspirant Peter Obi Calls for Release of Detained IPOB Leader
In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Peter Obi, a presidential aspirant for the 2027 general election, expressed his concerns over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Obi questioned the logic behind Kanu’s detention, suggesting that it is unreasonable to hold someone solely for speaking out against the government.
Obi emphasized his commitment to advocating for a political solution, not only in Kanu’s case but also in other similar cases across the country. He believes that as a leader, his primary responsibility is to ensure that the common man has access to basic necessities like food, rather than being detained for expressing their opinions.
When asked about his approach to handling situations like Kanu’s, Obi stated, “For every one of them, I mean, why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me.” He also mentioned that he has not seen any evidence of Kanu using vulgar words, as some people have claimed. Obi’s stance is clear: as a president, he would not be bothered by insults or criticism, as his focus would be on serving the people.
Obi also shared his plans for addressing similar situations across the country, saying, “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.” However, he emphasized that such meetings would be solely to establish a link and to convey a message of “enough is enough,” followed by decisive action.
Obi’s comments highlight the complexities of Nigeria’s political landscape and the need for leaders to prioritize the well-being of their citizens. As the country prepares for its 2027 general election, Obi’s stance on issues like Kanu’s detention is likely to resonate with many Nigerians who are eager for change and a more inclusive leadership.
