Peter Obi, former Anambra Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, has opposed the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Mr Obi, in a statement on Saturday, said Mr Kanu’s views were not “unheard of” and that he ought not to have been arrested, tried, and jailed on terrorism charges.

“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,” Mr Obi said.

He added, “The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity.”

The former Anambra governor said, “dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace.”

He added, “Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, I submit that reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored.”

On Thursday, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court sentenced Mr Kanu to life in prison after convicting him of terrorism, inciting violence, and a violent push for the balkanisation of the country.

Justice James Omotosho, who sentenced Mr Kanu, highlighted several instances where Mr Kanu called for violence, bloodshed, and the killing of police and other security operatives.