Soludo’s Aide, Ejimofor Opara, Faults Peter Obi’s Call for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Labels It an Affront to Judiciary
A media aide to the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Ejimofor Opara, has criticised presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi over his recent remarks calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Obi had reiterated his position during an interaction with Nigerians in Washington, D.C., where he maintained that there was no justification for Kanu’s continued detention. The comments were widely circulated after being shared on social media.
Reacting to the statement, Opara described Obi’s position as inappropriate and disrespectful to the Nigerian judiciary, arguing that it also indirectly discredits judicial processes in other countries, including Finland, where Simon Ekpa, described as a close associate of Kanu was previously convicted for terrorism-related offences.
According to Opara, Obi’s comments amounted to a “major affront” to judicial institutions, insisting that the former Anambra governor, who once benefited from court rulings in his political career, ought to show greater respect for the judiciary.
He further argued that the Nigerian courts had already handled Kanu’s case through a transparent legal process, including a publicly broadcast sentencing phase, and therefore saw Obi’s intervention as inappropriate and misleading.
Opara also accused Obi of making politically motivated remarks ahead of future elections, claiming that such statements could be interpreted as undermining institutions that had previously upheld democratic processes in Nigeria.
He added that the judiciary had already delivered its judgment in Kanu’s case, with the IPOB leader currently serving a life sentence after being convicted on terrorism-related charges in 2025. The conviction followed multiple counts, including membership of a proscribed organisation and involvement in activities linked to separatist violence.
Obi has since continued to challenge the ruling and has filed an appeal seeking to overturn both his conviction and sentencing.
The controversy adds to ongoing political debate surrounding the handling of Kanu’s case and broader tensions over national security and judicial independence in Nigeria.
