The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was convicted, a ruling Obi warns could heighten national tensions.

In a post on X, Obi expressed concerns that Kanu’s conviction comes at a time when Nigeria is already grappling with “severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance.”

Obi lamented that the government had mishandled the situation from the beginning, failing to seek peaceful alternatives.

“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested,” Obi stated. “His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”

He stressed that “dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance” are essential for achieving lasting peace, while “coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted.”

Obi called on Nigeria’s national leaders to prioritize reconciliation and urged the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected statesmen to step in and pursue a political solution.

Read Also: BREAKING: IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

“If we truly desire a new Nigeria, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” Obi added.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of terrorism. Justice James Omotosho convicted Kanu on several counts, including inciting violence, belonging to a proscribed organization, and threatening attacks on Nigerian and foreign targets.

The court ruled that Kanu’s broadcasts incited followers to attack security forces, burn infrastructure, and target diplomatic missions. Justice Omotosho emphasized that Nigeria is an indivisible state, and that self-determination cannot be pursued through violence. The court also ordered the forfeiture of Kanu’s transmitter to the government and directed that he be held in a secure facility with no digital access.

The case has remained one of the most contentious legal matters in Nigeria, sparking debates on issues of self-determination, governance, and national unity.

Source: Channels