Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has rejected the life sentence handed down to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, warning that the decision is likely to heighten national tension rather than reduce it.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Obi said Kanu’s conviction comes at a time when Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, and growing frustration with governance.

According to him, the ruling risks worsening the already fragile atmosphere in the country.

Obi restated his long-standing position that Kanu should never have been arrested in the first place, describing the arrest, detention, and eventual sentencing as “a failure of leadership” and a sign that the government misunderstood the real issues at stake.

He argued that the concerns raised by Kanu were not impossible to resolve and should have been addressed through dialogue, empathy, and reform-oriented governance.

“The reason was not exhausted, indeed, it was probably not explored at all,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor criticised the government for relying solely on coercion and legal processes, noting that many countries pursue political solutions, negotiated settlements, or amnesty when legal routes cannot guarantee long-term peace and stability.

Obi warned that the handling of Kanu’s case mirrors “a man trapped in a hole who keeps digging deeper,” insisting that the judgment will further deepen mistrust and distract the nation from urgent socioeconomic challenges.

He urged the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected national figures to intervene and pursue a political solution aimed at reconciliation, unity, and lasting peace.

Obi concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain hopeful, expressing confidence that with the right leadership approach, a peaceful and inclusive resolution is still possible.