“I Will Free Kanu As President,” Obi Tells Nigerians In US
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has renewed his call for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu, declaring that there is no justification for his continued detention.
Obi made the remarks during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., in a video that has been widely shared on social media. The Obidient Movement said the visit took place a few days ago.
The former Anambra State governor said he had consistently held that Kanu should not remain in custody. “I said it repeatedly that there’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason, no reason whatsoever,” he said. “You cannot arrest somebody because he was speaking on the radio or calling people’s names. It doesn’t make sense.”
Drawing from his own career, Obi argued that public figures routinely face criticism and name-calling, which he said should not amount to a criminal offence. “I’m a politician. People call me all sorts of names. And I don’t think calling me names has anything to do with… It’s not an offence,” he stated.
Obi also said he would adopt dialogue in addressing agitations across the country if given the opportunity to lead, arguing that engagement would help the government understand the grievances driving such demands. “Even all agitators, if I’m in government today, I will discuss with them. I will engage with them. I will consult with them. Because I believe that they have a reason for whatever they want to do,” he said. “It’s only by engaging them that we’ll learn and see how we can solve it. But I am not in a position to do anything today.”
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The convicted IPOB leader was sentenced to life imprisonment in the November 20, 2025, judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho. The judge convicted Kanu on all seven counts, imposing life sentences on counts one, four, five and six in place of the death penalty, citing scriptural persuasion to be merciful. He was handed 20 years’ imprisonment on count three and five years on count seven, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
The trial judge also ruled that Kanu should be barred from using digital devices and kept in protective custody, and ordered the forfeiture of radio transmitters the prosecution said he smuggled into the country.
Kanu has rejected the judgment and proceeded to the Court of Appeal. He lodged a 22-ground appeal seeking to quash the conviction, insisting that the trial judge erred in law and occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice. His appeal notice, which named the Federal Republic of Nigeria as respondent, urged the appellate court to quash, reverse and set aside both the conviction and the sentence. His legal team maintains that the trial was unfair.