The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken aim at former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing him of exploiting national security concerns for political gain following his comments on the recent sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu was handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja last Thursday after being convicted on seven terrorism-related charges. Presiding Judge James Omotosho noted that the severity of Kanu’s actions warranted a death sentence but opted for life imprisonment, citing moral and scriptural considerations.
Reacting to Obi’s criticism of the ruling, APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday, accusing the former Anambra governor of hypocrisy and political grandstanding. According to Oladejo, Obi’s remarks were less about justice and more about reviving his political relevance.
He argued that Obi has consistently failed to denounce IPOB’s violent activities in the Southeast, including attacks, killings, and the enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders, yet is quick to condemn the government’s efforts to maintain national security.
“Peter Obi’s sudden concern for justice is disingenuous,” Oladejo said. “He has remained silent in the face of IPOB’s atrocities but now seeks to cloak terrorism in the language of compassion. This is not leadership it’s opportunism.”
The APC further challenged Obi to explain his silence during periods of unrest in the Southeast, questioning why he condemns extremist groups like Boko Haram but appears to rationalize IPOB’s actions.
“This inconsistency reveals a troubling double standard,” Oladejo added. “It’s a calculated move to score political points ahead of 2027, not a genuine call for peace.”
In his own statement issued Saturday, Obi defended his stance, asserting that Kanu’s arrest and conviction were mishandled and represented a broader failure in leadership. He emphasized the need for dialogue and inclusive governance as the path to lasting peace.
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested,” Obi said. “His detention and sentencing reflect a missed opportunity for constructive engagement. True leadership requires more than legalism it demands wisdom, empathy, and a commitment to unity.”
Obi called on national leaders to prioritize reconciliation over retribution, urging the federal government to consider political solutions to long-standing grievances.
As tensions continue to rise in Nigeria over Kanu’s sentencing, the exchange between Obi and the APC underscores the deep divisions in Nigeria’s political discourse where national security, justice, and political ambition continue to collide.
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