Peter Obi Vows To Release Nnamdi Kanu And Engage Bandits In Negotiations If Elected President
Peter Obi Vows To Release Nnamdi Kanu And Engage Bandits In Negotiations If Elected President
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has declared that he will secure the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, if he is elected president. Speaking during an engagement with Nigerians in Washington, the former Anambra State governor argued that Kanu should not remain in custody over comments he allegedly made on radio, insisting that criticism of political leaders should not be treated as a criminal offense. Obi stated that there is no justification for keeping Kanu detained, adding that he has done nothing wrong and that the government has no reason to hold him for speaking on radio. He noted that as a politician, people have called him various names, but he does not consider that an offense.
Beyond the release of the IPOB leader, Obi also pledged to adopt dialogue as a core strategy for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, including opening negotiations with bandits. He maintained that engaging with armed groups and agitators does not amount to endorsing their actions, but rather serves as a pathway to understanding grievances and finding lasting peace. Obi emphasized that if he were in government today, he would discuss with all agitators because he believes they have reasons for their actions, and only through engagement can the nation learn and resolve disputes. He stressed that leadership should be open to consultation and reconciliation before resorting to coercive measures.
The NDC flagbearer reiterated his commitment to pursuing a political solution to Kanu’s case, arguing that dialogue remains the most effective path to resolving longstanding tensions, particularly in the South-East. He said governments achieve more lasting results when they address the root causes of agitations through inclusive governance rather than relying solely on force. This is not the first time Obi has spoken on the matter. Following Kanu’s conviction and life imprisonment sentencing in November 2025, Obi had described the development as a failure of leadership that risked aggravating national tension, maintaining that dialogue and constructive engagement offer the path to lasting peace.
Obi’s latest comments come amid his political realignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election. After the collapse of an earlier opposition coalition, Obi secured the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress at a special convention in Abuja in May 2026. He was unanimously endorsed by delegates and shortly after announced former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate. The emergence of Obi under the NDC platform has set up a three-way election rematch against President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress.
Nnamdi Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services since his controversial rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021. In November 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him on terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Kanu has since filed an appeal challenging both his conviction and sentence. Meanwhile, international pressure continues to mount on the Nigerian government over Kanu’s detention, with a group of legal experts based in London warning of legal action in a United Kingdom court if the government does not release him immediately. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has also called on President Tinubu to grant amnesty to Kanu as part of efforts to promote national reconciliation. As the 2027 election approaches, Obi’s pledge to release Kanu and negotiate with bandits represents a sharp departure from the current administration’s security approach and has positioned him as a candidate willing to take bold positions on Nigeria’s most contentious issues.
