You’ve separatist’s intentions, FG Blasts Peter Obi over comment on Nnamdi Kanu
The federal government of Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu has criticised Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, over his recent call for the release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had queried the reason for the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying there is no justification his arrest and extradition.
Reacting, a source in the Presidency, who spoke anonymously to The Punch, accused Obi of harboring “separatist tendencies” and supporting IPOB while seeking to lead a united Nigeria.
“Peter Obi supports IPOB and has said it publicly. But he wants to lead Nigeria. That’s a total contradiction,” the source stated.
The official added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would not interfere in Kanu’s ongoing trial. “Everyone knows Nnamdi Kanu’s case is in court.
Would Obi want the government to stop the court from doing its work? If he is not found guilty, he will be released. If found guilty, he will face punishment,” the source maintained.
Meanwhile, Minister of Works, David Umahi, recently revealed that the federal government is open to negotiating Kanu’s release but dismissed claims that the Southeast was using Kanu’s freedom as a bargaining tool to back Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Umahi expressed hope that Kanu’s release would come through dialogue and divine intervention, not political pressure.
Kanu’s trial has continued with prosecutors presenting video and audio recordings allegedly showing him inciting violence against security forces and political leaders.
Evidence also included a CD of his 2021 DSS interrogation, which the defence challenged. The case was adjourned to May 8, 2025.
‘IT MAKES NO SENSE’ — OBI QUESTIONS NNAMDI KANU’S CONTINUED DETENTION
Earlier, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, had condemned the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as “unreasonable” and unjustified.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the former Anambra State governor questioned the logic behind Kanu’s prolonged incarceration, especially if the charges against him are based on verbal or non-violent offences.
“For every one of them, I mean, why is he still being held? It does not make sense to me,” Obi said, when asked whether he would support a political solution for the IPOB leader.
Obi expressed concern that Kanu’s alleged use of vulgar words should not warrant continued detention.
“Some people said that because he used vulgar words and everything. I’ve not seen it. They said he’s using vulgar words. But it doesn’t bother me. If I’m president, whether you call me a thief or an idiot, which they call me today, it doesn’t bother me.
My duty as a leader is for the common man — to put food on their table,” Obi stated.
Obi emphasized that if elected, his administration would prioritize dialogue and inclusive political engagement over military crackdowns or hardline tactics when addressing national agitation or insecurity.
“If there are people I can talk to, I’ll talk to them… Let’s say tomorrow we have a bandit operating in the North East, I’ll meet with him. But that is just to establish a link to say enough is enough. And afterwards, I’ll deal with it decisively.”
Obi’s comments come amid renewed public scrutiny over Kanu’s case, with growing calls for the federal government to pursue a non-violent, political resolution to the long-running Biafra agitation.
