The Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has pledged to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, iwhen elected into office as President of Nigeria.
Obi, who said this on Saturday, June 13, 2026, during a media engagement in Washington DC, United States, stated that the reason for Kanu’s detention was unreasonable.
“There’s no reason for keeping Nnamdi Kanu. I will free Nnamdi Kanu as President, he has done nothing wrong, the government has no reason to arrest him because he was speaking and calling people names on radio, it doesn’t make sense.”
The NDC presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections spoke on issues relating to national unity, governance, and the handling of separatist agitations in the country.
Speaking during the event, Obi, who is a former Governor of Anambra State, maintained that there was no justification for the continued detention of Kanu.
He argued that the IPOB leader had not committed any offence that warranted prolonged incarceration, insisting that the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention did not support the government’s actions against him.
The former governor stated that comments made by Kanu on Radio Biafra should not be sufficient grounds for his detention.
According to him, expressing opinions or making verbal remarks, even when considered offensive by some individuals, should not automatically result in imprisonment stressing that such matters should be addressed through lawful and democratic means.
Obi further explained that his administration would pursue a different approach in handling agitations and grievances across the country.
He said that rather than relying on force or detention, his government would prioritize engagement and discussions aimed at resolving disputes and addressing concerns raised by various groups.
During his remarks, he emphasized the importance of dialogue in maintaining national peace and stability.
He noted that meaningful conversations with aggrieved groups would help foster understanding and create opportunities for lasting solutions to issues that have contributed to tensions in different parts of Nigeria.
The NDC presidential candidate also reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance, stating that all citizens and groups should be given a platform to express their concerns within the framework of the law.
He maintained that open communication and constructive engagement remain essential tools for resolving political and social disagreements.