A media aide to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has criticized Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent remarks concerning the continued imprisonment of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Obi had restated his position during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., United States. There, he maintained that Kanu should no longer remain in custody.
The former Anambra Governor said if elected, he would release Kanu from detention.
Responding to the comments, Ejimofor Opara, Special Adviser on Media to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said Obi’s remarks were unfair to the judiciary.
According to him, the comments also disregarded the judicial process. It disrespected the judicial process that led to the conviction of individuals linked to separatist activities.
Opara argued that Obi had previously benefited from court decisions that restored and protected his political mandate during his time as governor.
He maintained that someone who had gained from judicial intervention should show greater respect for the institution. This is smart, rather than making statements that could cast doubt on its decisions.
The governor’s aide also referred to the case of Simon Ekpa, who he described as an associate of Kanu. He noted that Ekpa was prosecuted and convicted in Finland for terrorism-related offences and is currently serving a prison sentence.
According to Opara, Obi’s position on Kanu’s imprisonment could be interpreted as disregarding both the Nigerian and Finnish judicial systems.
He further stated that the courts had followed due process in handling matters relating to Kanu and other individuals accused of terrorism-related activities.
He added that the judiciary had made efforts to ensure transparency in Kanu’s trial and sentencing process.
In his view, public figures seeking elective office should avoid making statements that could be seen as supporting individuals convicted of serious crimes.
Opara also said that historical records would judge public officials based on how they treated institutions that contributed to their political careers.
He therefore called on Obi to apologize to both the Nigerian and Finnish judicial systems over his comments.
Kanu is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja. He was convicted in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges.
The court found him guilty on several counts, including incitement and membership of a banned organisation. Other charges include involvement in activities connected to separatist violence in the South-East.
The court ordered that the life sentence and other prison terms imposed on him should run concurrently.
However, Kanu has rejected the verdict and has already filed an appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.
Political analysts believe Kanu’s trial was a political charade. They believed it was aimed at silencing him and his mission to address the historical marginalisation of the eastern region.
