The conviction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has continued to generate strong reactions across Nigeria, with prominent political figures and civic voices warning that the development may worsen national tension at a time of deep socioeconomic distress. In a reflective statement titled “Kanu’s Conviction: At a Time Like This,” Mr Peter Obi urged the Federal Government to embrace dialogue, wisdom, and reconciliation, insisting that the path chosen will determine whether Nigeria moves toward peace or further division.
The statement, which has been widely circulated, described Kanu’s conviction as a moment that should compel every Nigerian to pause and reflect deeply on the nation’s current trajectory. Coming at a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe economic hardship, rising insecurity, and persistent governance failures, the conviction, according to the commentator, risks inflaming the fragile stability of an already strained nation.
“This Will Aggravate Tension, Not Reduce It”
Peter Obi warned that instead of easing long-standing grievances, the conviction may intensify them, stressing that Nigeria needs national healing, not actions that deepen mistrust.
“The news of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction should compel every well-meaning Nigerian to pause and reflect,” the statement reads. “Rather than reducing tension, this unfortunate development may well only aggravate it.”
The commentator reiterated a long-held position that Kanu should never have been arrested in the first place. According to him, the arrest, prolonged detention, and now conviction represent not only a failure of leadership but also a profound misreading of the issues raised by Kanu over the years.
“For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace,” he said. “Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all.”
Grievances That Were “Not Insoluble”
The statement emphasized that the concerns Kanu has raised since 2015—issues of marginalization, structural imbalance, and the political exclusion of the South-East—were neither abstract nor impossible to resolve.
“The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble,” he said. “What was required was wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen.”
He argued that in functional democracies, such grievances are met with institutional reforms, broad consultations, and national dialogue, not repression. Instead, the government’s posture, he said, has worsened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction during a period of harsh economic realities and growing nationwide insecurity.
“Leadership Demands More Than Mere Application of Law”
While acknowledging that some Nigerians believe the court simply allowed the law to take its course, the national figure countered that true leadership often requires a more thoughtful, broader approach.
“Leadership demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law,” he noted. “Around the world, nations resort to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability. Nigeria is not an exception.”
He warned that relying solely on legal enforcement in matters deeply tied to historical injustice, identity, and socioeconomic deprivation risks entrenching conflict rather than resolving it.
A Metaphor of Misguided Strategy
In a striking analogy, Mr Obi compared the government’s handling of Kanu’s case to a man trapped in a hole who, instead of finding a way out, continues digging deeper.
“The handling of Kanu’s case mirrors a government trapped in a hole but which, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper,” he said. “It worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.”
He said Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace by suppressing dissent or criminalizing agitation without addressing the legitimate grievances that fuel such agitation.
Call for National Healing and Inclusive Leadership
The statement stresses that Nigeria must make deliberate choices toward reconciliation if it truly desires a peaceful and prosperous future.
“If we desire a new Nigeria—a united, peaceful, and progressive one—our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” the message reads. “Only by addressing grievances with justice, fairness, and compassion can we move toward a future where every Nigerian feels heard, valued, and safe.”
He added that the South-East’s concerns cannot be wished away or resolved through force, as decades of political exclusion and structural imbalance require sustained national engagement.
“A Time for Statesmen to Rise”
The statement ends with a strong appeal to the Presidency, the Council of State, and elder statesmen across the nation to intervene constructively and ensure that Kanu’s case becomes a turning point rather than a trigger for deeper resentment.
“My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end,” Obi said.
He urged national leaders to adopt statesmanlike approaches rooted in wisdom and empathy.
“The Presidency, the Council of State, and credible individuals who love this country and who are interested in cohesion and inclusivity should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution.”
A Moment That Could Define Nigeria’s Future
As reactions continue to pour in from across the country and the diaspora, observers note that the government now faces a crucial test in navigating one of Nigeria’s most sensitive and divisive political matters. Analysts say Kanu’s conviction, regardless of legal arguments, cannot be separated from the political and historical context that produced the agitation he leads.
Nigeria is approaching a critical juncture in its national journey. The path it takes—toward reconciliation or renewed division—may depend significantly on how it handles this moment.
For many citizens, the question remains: Will Nigeria choose dialogue, justice, and unity—or a deepening of the old wounds that have long threatened its stability?
