Presidency Criticises Peter Obi Over Remarks on Nnamdi Kanu’s Life Imprisonment

The Presidency has strongly criticised the comments made by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding the life imprisonment handed to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. According to the Presidency, Obi’s statement lacked courage and was delivered from a place of convenience.

Nnamdi Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice James Omotosho found him guilty on all seven counts relating to terrorism and other associated offences. The verdict has since sparked nationwide reactions and renewed discussions about security, governance and political leadership in the South East.

In his reaction, shared on his X handle on Saturday, Peter Obi argued that the judgment came at a time when Nigerians are grappling with significant economic hardship, rising insecurity and the consequences of ineffective governance. He reiterated that he had always maintained that Nnamdi Kanu should not have been arrested in the first place, stressing that dialogue and constructive engagement remain the best paths to achieving lasting peace in the region.

Obi stated that Kanu’s arrest, prolonged detention and eventual conviction represent a failure of leadership and a lack of understanding of the underlying issues that fuel unrest in the South East. His comments quickly drew attention online, with many expressing support while others questioned his stance.

Responding to Obi’s remarks, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, issued a statement accusing the former presidential candidate of attempting to politicise a national security matter. Dada argued that Obi’s intervention was a deliberate effort to use Kanu’s conviction as an opportunity for political posturing.

Dada alleged that Obi had consistently avoided speaking out against violent incidents attributed to IPOB and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network. He said Obi failed to publicly condemn attacks and other acts that left communities distressed over the years. According to him, Obi’s silence during those periods undermines his appeal for dialogue.

He wrote that Obi’s latest statement reflects selective empathy, noting that despite the length of his reaction, he did not acknowledge victims affected by unrest in the region. Dada argued that leadership requires honesty and accountability, and that any call for dialogue must also recognise the experiences of affected communities.

He added that tying Nigeria’s economic hardship to Kanu’s conviction distracts from the seriousness of the case and shifts attention away from the security concerns that prompted the charges.

The exchange has continued to generate significant conversation across social media, with citizens, analysts and political observers weighing in on the wider implications for national unity, regional tensions and Nigeria’s justice system. Many expect further reactions from political actors and civil society groups as the country continues to debate the outcome of the court ruling.