Dare Babalola
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has stated that Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest and conviction are illegal, according to a statement he issued on Saturday.
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested. His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake,” Obi wrote.
Obi also called for calm and dialogue in the wake of Kanu’s conviction, urging Nigerians to remain optimistic for peace and reconciliation.
He expressed concern that the conviction could exacerbate tensions in a nation already grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance.
Obi reiterated his stance that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace. “Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted,” he noted. “In this case, I submit that the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored.”
The former Anambra governor urged the government to adopt a more nuanced approach, citing examples of nations that resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty to serve the broader interest of peace and stability.
He stressed, “Nigeria is not an exception. The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper. It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.”
Obi called on the Presidency, Council of State, and credible statesmen to rise to the occasion and work towards a lasting solution.
“If we truly desire a new Nigeria – a united, peaceful, and progressive one, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” he said.
In conclusion, Obi urged Nigerians to remain optimistic for peace and reconciliation, which will come in the end. “My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end,” he said.
