The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has raised serious concerns over the Federal Government’s handling of Nnamdi Kanu’s case, warning that the life sentence slammed on the IPOB leader could stir fresh tension across the South-East.
Obi reacted shortly after the judgement was delivered in Abuja on Thursday, November 20.
He said the decision has already triggered fear and uncertainty in a region that has battled violence, security raids, and economic disruption for years.
According to him, Kanu’s conviction represents a leadership failure, not just a legal outcome.
In his view, the government should have used dialogue and calm engagement long before things escalated to this stage.
In his post on X, Obi described the prolonged arrest and detention as avoidable.
He argued that the issues Kanu raised were “not unheard of”, insisting that listening and negotiation could have prevented the crisis from getting worse.
He stressed that the matter has deepened mistrust between citizens and government, especially at a time the country is struggling with insecurity and harsh economic conditions.
Obi said leaders must look beyond the court ruling and find a political solution that restores peace.
He compared the government’s approach to “a man trapped in a hole who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper”, a metaphor he used to highlight the growing division caused by the case.
He urged the presidency and national leaders to embrace reconciliation, insisting that peace-building would do more good than heavy-handed decisions.
“If we truly desire a new Nigeria united, peaceful, and progressive our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” he stated.
While reactions continue to pour in, Abia State Governor Alex Otti has told residents that the judgement is not the final chapter.
He assured Abians that he has “activated and will continue to work on his freedom.”
Otti noted that the ruling has thrown many families into grief, calling it a major emotional blow to the state.
He reminded the public that he has consistently opposed the use of force in handling IPOB-related issues.
Otti referenced the 2017 military operation at Kanu’s Abia residence.
He said he condemned that invasion at the time and advised the federal government to adopt a softer approach.
The governor believes the poor management of the early stages of the conflict allowed the situation to worsen over the years.
He revealed that he has been pushing for an alternative resolution strategy since late 2023, holding meetings with top officials to secure a political solution.
He added that some understandings were reached during those engagements, but the legal process dragged on longer than expected.
According to him, with judgement now delivered, the planned alternative resolution can proceed.
Otti also said he discussed this strategy directly with Kanu during his visit to the DSS facility earlier this year.