No reason for Nnamdi Kanu’s imprisonment, no one should be arrested for insulting people — Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said there is no justification for the continued imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Obi made the remarks during a recent meeting with Nigerians in Washington DC, United States.

The former Anambra State governor argued that individuals should not be arrested over comments made on radio programmes, describing such actions as unreasonable.

He noted that, as a politician, he is frequently subjected to criticism and name-calling, but does not regard such behaviour as a criminal offence.

Obi stated that if elected president, he would pursue dialogue with agitators across the country in a bid to understand their concerns and find lasting solutions.

“I have said this repeatedly, there is no reason for keeping (in prison) Nnamdi Kanu. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason whatsoever,” he said.

“You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on radio and calling people names. It doesn’t make sense. Anybody can tell you anything. I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names.

“I don’t think calling me names is an offence. It is not an offence.

“If I’m in government today, I will discuss with all agitators. I will engage with them. I will consult with them.

“Because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do. It’s only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it.”

Obi also blamed electoral malpractice on the attitude of citizens, saying elections are manipulated because Nigerians allow it to happen.

He maintained that vote rigging would be difficult if voters remained at polling units after casting their ballots to safeguard the process.

Kanu’s conviction

In November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges.

The IPOB leader received life sentences on counts one, four, five and six of a seven-count charge.

He was also sentenced to 20 years and five years imprisonment on counts three and seven respectively.

During the trial, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative testified that Kanu admitted during interrogation to making comments that encouraged attacks on police personnel.

Another DSS witness linked the violence that followed the #EndSARS protests to statements allegedly made by the IPOB leader.

Kanu has since appealed against his terrorism conviction.