The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will release detained Biafran separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu and engage all agitating groups in dialogue if elected president.
Speaking during an interactive session with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., the former Anambra State governor argued that Kanu’s detention over broadcast comments is unjustified, emphasizing that criticism of political leaders should not be criminalized.
“There is no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. I will free Nnamdi Kanu as president,” Obi stated. “He has done nothing wrong. The government has no reason to arrest him simply because he was speaking and calling people names on the radio.”
Obi maintained that public officials must tolerate criticism, noting that being insulted or criticized comes with the territory of leadership and does not constitute a criminal offense.
“Anybody can tell you anything. I am a politician, and people call me all sorts of names. I don’t think calling me names is an offense,” he added.
Beyond Kanu’s release, Obi pledged to adopt dialogue as a primary strategy to address separatist movements and other grievances fueling insecurity across the nation.
“If I am in government today, I will discuss with all agitators because I believe they have reasons for their actions. It is only by engaging them that we can understand their grievances and find a path forward,” he said.
