Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has pledged to sponsor the education of Quadri Yusuf Alabi, the 17-year-old boy who stood before his convoy during the 2023 general election campaign, following the teen’s recent release from unlawful detention.
Obi, who shared the development on his social media handle on Friday, April 18, described his meeting with the young boy as both emotional and inspiring. He commended the resilience of Quadri, who, despite enduring months of what he called “unjust and illegal incarceration,” remains determined to pursue his education.
“I listened to Quadri today, and one thing stood out clearly: his unwavering desire for education,” Obi stated. “Despite all he has been through, his only dream is to return to school and complete his education and I will make sure he gets it.”
The former Anambra State governor thanked human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, activist Dele Farotimi, and Ms. Hassana Nurudeen for their relentless efforts in securing Quadri’s freedom. He also called for accountability, insisting that those behind the boy’s detention must not go unpunished.
“We must not stop at his release. Those responsible for his illegal incarceration must be held accountable. We cannot afford to allow such acts of criminality to go unpunished,” he added.
Quadri had been detained since January 2025, following a viral incident during the 2023 election season where he stood before Obi’s convoy, an act widely interpreted as a symbol of hope, resistance, and youth admiration in Nigeria’s political climate.
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On Thursday, a Magistrate Court in Apapa, Lagos, ordered Quadri’s release following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), effectively bringing an end to the controversial case.
The case had drawn national attention and triggered broader conversations about the rights of minors, abuse of legal process, and the symbolic weight of political expression in Nigeria.
Obi concluded his post with a renewed call for a just and equitable Nigeria: “Together, we will build a Nigeria where education, freedom, rule of law, equity and justice, care and protection of the less privileged will stand as the foundation of our democracy.”
He reaffirmed his belief that “a new Nigeria is possible.”
