Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, don raise serious concern over di conviction of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, warn say di matter fit increase tension for di country wey already dey suffer economic wahala and insecurity.

For di statement wey him drop on Saturday, Obi describe di conviction as “unfortunate”, talk say e show clear leadership failure and say government mishandle di issue from day one.

Obi yarn:

“Di news of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction suppose make every well-meaning Nigerian pause think. Dis one dey happen for time wey our country dey face serious hardship, insecurity and bad governance.”

“Instead make e calm tension, dis kain development fit even worsen am. I don always maintain say Mazi Kanu no suppose dey arrested at all. Him arrest, detention and now conviction na leadership failure and misunderstanding of di real issues.”

You Don Hear bin report on Thursday say Justice James Omotosho of di Federal High Court, Abuja, convict Kanu and sentence am to life imprisonment. Di judge talk say even though Kanu be freedom fighter for him people, e still follow “path of terrorism.”

Di court find am guilty for all counts one to seven, including:
– issuing sit-at-home order wey cause economic loss and death for South-East
– being member of a proscribed organisation
– acts of terrorism
– incitement and threats to kill those wey no obey him orders
– broadcasts wey allegedly lead to killing of security personnel

Obi insist say dialogue na di only road to lasting peace, say di issues wey Kanu raise no be new and no hard to solve if government handle am with wisdom and empathy.

He talk:

“For years I don talk say dialogue, constructive engagement and inclusive governance na di answer. Force only dey needed when reasoning don finish. But for dis case, reason no even start or dem no explore am well.”

“Kanu concerns no be strange. Di issues get solution. All e require na empathy, listening ear and wisdom.”

Obi beg di Presidency, Council of State and respected elders to quickly intervene, look for political solution wey go bring healing and unity. He compare government’s handling of di case to:

“Man wey fall inside hole but instead of find way commot, him just dey dig deeper.”

He warn say di approach fit spoil national cohesion even more.

Obi add:

“Some go talk say ‘law don take its course’, but leadership dey go beyond mechanical application of law. Countries dey use political solution, negotiation and even amnesty when law no fit solve everything. Nigeria no be exception.”

“If we want new Nigeria—united, peaceful and progressive, leaders must choose healing over hostility, dialogue over division.”

He end by calling for optimism, peace and reconciliation, and urge government to find lasting solution.

Meanwhile, YouDonHear remind say Kanu’s wahala start from him 2015 arrest for treasonable felony and terrorism.

Highlights include:
– 2017: Kanu japa while on bail after military raid during Operation Python Dance
– 2021: Arrested for Kenya under controversial circumstances; IPOB call am “extraordinary rendition”
– Defence team consistently question di trial process
– Kanu later sack him lawyers, defend himself for di seven-count charge of terrorism, treasonable felony and incitement.

If you want am in more conversational Pidgin or shorter version, I fit run am too.