By Peter Omopo
Prominent leaders from the South-East, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, have renewed calls for dialogue following the conviction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, after being found guilty on seven terrorism-related charges. The court handed him life terms on five counts, 20 years on one, and five years on another, all without the option of a fine.
Justice Omotosho also observed that the Kuje Correctional Centre might not be suitable for Kanu due to security concerns, hinting at the need for a more secure facility.
Otti: ‘This Is Not the End of the Road’
Reacting to the ruling, Governor Otti described the development as devastating, saying it had thrown Abia State and other parts of the South-East into shock and grief.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Otti insisted that dialogue remained the only sustainable solution to addressing the IPOB crisis and securing Kanu’s release.
He recalled condemning the military invasion of Kanu’s family home years ago, which resulted in destruction and loss of lives, emphasising that leadership demands “emotional intelligence, restraint and tolerance rather than force.”
According to him, early mishandling of the IPOB issue allowed tensions to escalate into the crisis facing the region today.
Otti revealed that some strategic agreements had previously been reached with Kanu, dependent on a speedy conclusion of the court process.
“With judgment now delivered, the alternative resolution will kick in,” he said, adding, “I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured.”
Obi Warns of Heightened Tension
Peter Obi, in a statement posted on X on Saturday, described the judgment as “an unfortunate development” with the potential to worsen national tensions.
Obi called for sober reflection, noting that the nation was already battling severe economic hardship, worsening insecurity and the consequences of long-standing governance failures.
He reiterated that Kanu’s arrest and extended detention were avoidable and reflected a breakdown of leadership.
“Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case, reason was not fully explored, if at all,” he said.
The former Anambra governor argued that the Federal Government failed to explore dialogue and broader reforms before resorting to force.
Ohanaeze Youths Appeal to Tinubu
In a related development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing, Chika Adiele, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and release Kanu immediately.
Adiele criticised the IPOB leader’s prolonged incarceration and legal ordeal, describing it as a “charade.” He argued that Kanu’s freedom remains central to lasting peace in the South-East.
“We admonish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise restraint and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately,” he said, accusing the Federal Government of selective justice against the Igbo.
Adiele added that the level of violence unleashed on Nigerians by terrorists and bandits makes Kanu’s continued detention difficult to justify.
“For too long, Ndigbo have been victims of massive institutional attacks,” he said.
