Peter Obi Wades in as Nigerian Authorities Jail Boy Who Stood in Front of His Convoy
- Peter Obi has reacted to the disturbing circumstances leading to the arrest and continued detention of Alabi Quadri
- Quadri, a minor, rose to public attention in 2023 after he stood in front of the Labour Party presidential candidate's campaign convoy
- In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly known as Twitter) account, Obi expressed grave concern over the teenager’s continued detention
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Apapa, Lagos state - Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has appealed to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to "always operate within the law and the rules".
Legit.ng recalls that a teenager Alabi Quadri was the centre of attention during the 2023 election campaign when he stood in front of the convoy of Obi in Lagos state.
Source: Twitter
Following rife claims in the past few days about Quadri's imprisonment, prominent human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, visited the teenager at the Minimum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos state. Effiong confirmed that Quadri had been in custody since January 2025.
Source: Twitter
Reacting to the update, the Labour Party chieftain said in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, April 9, that security agents should stop oppressing citizens, especially Nigerian youths.
Obi said:
"After delivering my speech at the Commonwealth event in London today, I was made aware of the predicament of a young boy named Quadri Yusuf Alabi, who has been detained for over three months without trial, appeared in court for the first time in March, and still remains held in custody.
"I have contacted a lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong @InibeheEffiong, who, luckily, has been actively working to intensify his release.
"I sincerely appeal to the police and other agents of the government to always operate within the law and the rules and stop the weaponizing citizens, especially our youths, who need our care and love to unleash their talents and energy towards building a new Nigeria that is possible."
Legit.ng reports that Nigerian security agents—including police and military personnel—have been accused of illegal detention, torture, and other human rights abuses, including by organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Despite critics presenting 'evidence', the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected any notion and allusion to human rights violations in Nigeria.
Ideal response was protection, not prosecution — Advocate
A youth advocacy and empowerment expert, Victor Ogungbe, has condemned the continued detention of Alabi Quadri, who stood in front of Peter Obi's convoy during the 2023 campaign.
“The case of young Alabi Quadri is both heartbreaking and emblematic of the systemic challenges faced by minors in Nigeria, especially those from underserved communities,” he told Legit.ng.
Ogungbe, who said minors from marginalised backgrounds often face exploitation and injustice, added that:
"The lack of prompt legal representation and the tendency to conflate youthful exuberance with criminal intent exacerbate their plight.”
Youth advocacy organisations, he said, must address these injustices by providing "immediate legal assistance," educating communities on minors' rights, pushing for policy reforms "in accordance with juvenile justice standards," and actively monitoring and reporting abuses "within the justice system."
The cofounder of PathUp Africa however criticised the authorities’ reaction and stressed the need for compassion and due process.
“In Alabi's case, the ideal response from authorities would have been to ensure his safety, provide him with legal counsel, and investigate the circumstances thoroughly before any charges were made. Society, on its part, should rally to protect such individuals, recognizing that the true measure of our justice system lies in how it treats its most vulnerable," the expert concluded.
Read more on Peter Obi:
- Crisis worsens as Labour Party threatens to sanction Peter Obi, gives reason
- Peter Obi, Alex Otti convene Labour Party NEC meeting with list of invited participants
- 2027 election: Party Obi, Atiku, other allies may join to battle Tinubu emerges as APC keeps mute
'Nigeria is collapsing' - Peter Obi
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Obi voiced concern about Nigeria’s alleged deteriorating economic state, warning that the country is teetering on the edge of collapse.
Speaking at the Labour Party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, he pointed to 'worsening poverty levels and bleak national indicators', saying urgent intervention was needed.
According to the party's presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, the situation in Nigeria demands not silence but courage from citizens and political leaders to turn it around.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a youth advocacy expert for this report.
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Source: Legit.ng
