The Special Adviser on Media to the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, Ejimofor Opara, has asserted that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, owes the Nigerian judiciary and courts in Finland an open apology over his call for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naijaonpoint recalls that Kanu is currently serving a life imprisonment sentence following his conviction on terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025.
The court found him guilty of multiple counts bordering on incitement, membership of a proscribed organisation, and alleged involvement in attacks linked to separatist activities in the South-East.
Peter Obi, during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, argued that Kanu should not be kept in detention over comments he allegedly made on Radio Biafra.
The former governor of Anambra State said that if elected President, his administration would engage separatist agitators and other groups with grievances through dialogue rather than force.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, Opara described Peter Obi’s comment as a major slap not just on the Nigerian judiciary but also as an insult to the judiciary of Finland, where Simon Ekpa, described as Kanu’s protégé, was tried, found guilty, and is currently serving a six-year jail term for terrorism-related offences.
Opara maintained that Peter Obi’s comments were careless, baseless, self-serving, and intended to rubbish the judiciary.
According to Opara, Peter Obi had benefited from the judiciary and should have had the utmost respect for the institution and served as a good ambassador.
The statement read, “Peter Obi is a product of the Nigerian judiciary. In 2006, the judiciary restored his mandate against all known odds. The same judiciary came to his rescue in 2007 after Andy Uba had skillfully manoeuvred him out of the power game.
“If there is anyone who should have utmost respect for, and become an ambassador of, the Nigerian judiciary, that person should be Peter Gregory Obi.
“For context, Peter Obi’s careless and self-serving comments on the trial, conviction, and sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu are a major slap on not just the Nigerian judiciary, but more of an insult against the judiciary of Finland, where Simon Ekpa, Nnamdi Kanu’s protégé, was tried, found guilty, and is currently serving a six-year jail term for terrorism-related offences.
“For a man going into a major election, pandering to terrorists is not an advantage, especially when the judiciary has painstakingly committed itself to ensuring a just and open process.
“If Peter Obi were smart and clear-headed, he would have known that the judiciary permitted a live broadcast of the final proceedings of Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction and sentencing precisely to avert careless statements like the one Obi made from faraway Maryland, USA.
“Even if the judiciary pretends not to have seen Obi’s gaffe, history books will not forget that persons like Obi existed solely to destroy institutions and individuals who made them, just to advance a futile personal ambition. Peter owes both the Nigerian judiciary and the courts in Finland an open apology.”
