“You Can Jail a Man, Not a Message” — Obi’s Words Ignite Debate

By Passman Akpos

A powerful national conversation has erupted following the reaction of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the conviction of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In a deeply reflective statement titled “Kanu’s Conviction: At a Time Like This,” Obi warned that the development risks worsening Nigeria’s already fragile state rather than healing it.

Obi argued that at a time of “severe economic hardship, insecurity, and consequences of poor governance,” the country cannot afford decisions that inflame tensions. He insisted that Kanu’s arrest, detention, and now conviction represent not strength but “a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.”

According to him, Nigeria skipped the most important step: dialogue.

> “Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted,” Obi said. “In this case, reason was not exhausted — in fact, it was barely explored.”

He stressed that the grievances Kanu raised were neither outrageous nor impossible, arguing that functional societies respond with inclusion and reforms, not force. He described the government’s handling of the case as “a man trapped in a hole who keeps digging deeper.”

Obi’s ultimate call:Healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, dialogue over division.He urged the Presidency, Council of State, and respected statesmen to rise to the moment for a political solution that restores unity.

A Flood of Reactions

Obi’s statement triggered a torrent of passionate responses across the country:

Some hailed him as the only politician who consistently speaks truth to power:

“This reveals that P.O is not desperate to become President. His voice is the purest political voice Nigeria has ever had.”

“Only a forthright leader not drunk on power can maintain such consistency.”

Others took humorous swipes at Reno Omokri, urging him to “come and review” Obi’s statement as he often critiques the former governor:

“We need an English professor to interpret this for Reno!”

“Reno, over to you — the pen is mightier than the sword!”

Many commenters emphasized negotiation over force:

“In a sane nation, agitators are invited to the table. You discuss, you resolve, and the country moves forward.”

“Mechanical application of the law without justice will never bring peace; it only escalates chaos.”

But there were also opposing views:

“The judgment is justice. No one is above the law, and the legal process ran its full course.”

Some pushed the deeper question:

“Did Kanu commit the atrocities he was accused of? If YES, then justice has been served. If NO, he should be released unconditionally.”

Amid the heated discourse, others expressed hope:

“Even Joseph’s brothers sold him thinking it was his end — but it made him a prime minister. So it shall be for Kanu.”

And in a note of ethnic solidarity:

“Always Igbo ❣️❣️”

The Bigger Picture

Obi’s intervention comes at a moment when Nigeria is navigating deep divisions, economic strain, and widespread dissatisfaction. His message — measured, moral, and steeped in calls for national unity — stands in sharp contrast to the political rhetoric dominating the public space.

Whether the government chooses a political solution or continues on the judicial path may shape Nigeria’s stability in the months to come.

But if one thing was unmistakable in today’s reactions, it is this:

The conversation about justice, unity, and the future of Nigeria has only just begun.