Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Wednesday clarified his involvement with the late General Sani Abacha administration, maintaining that his actions at the time were guided by civic responsibility, not political ambition.
Obi, in a statement posted on his official X account, released a 1996 letter from the Federal Ministry of Finance confirming his appointment, along with others, as members of a presidential task force on port decongestion. The document, dated April 24, 1996, was signed by then Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Abu Gidado, and listed Obi among those deployed to the Apapa Port under the Lagos Port Decongestion Committees.
In the post titled “Our Engagement with General Abacha: Setting the Record Straight,” Obi wrote:
“As I stated during my interview at the weekend and consistently maintained in the past, I had never met General Sani Abacha before that encounter. Our meeting with him was borne out of collective concern as traders and importers over the prolonged delays in clearing goods at the ports.”
The former Anambra State governor explained that their visit to Abacha was not political but based on a collective initiative by concerned business stakeholders.
“We approached him not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions to a matter affecting economic activity and livelihoods,” he stated.
Obi emphasized that their intent was purely economic and driven by the need to ensure efficient port operations.
“Our intention was clear: to advocate for efficiency and to propose practical steps towards restoring normalcy in port operations for the benefit of the wider business community and, ultimately, the Nigerian economy,” he said.
Reaffirming his dedication to openness, Obi said his post was not aimed at silencing detractors but was made for the record.
“I don’t expect this copious evidence to bury this Abacha case because the mischief makers have ulterior motives, but it’s being placed in the public space for posterity and in line with my transparency pledge to Nigerians on any issue I am involved in,” he added.
The statement comes amid attempts by political opponents to associate Obi with Abacha’s regime, a move widely seen by his supporters as an effort to smear his reputation. In the past few weeks, allies of the ruling APC have amplified narratives linking Obi to the late dictator.
Obi’s clarification has since drawn waves of support from Nigerians online. Director of Mobilization for the Obidient Movement Morris Monye wrote, “There’s always evidence for everything. Will they stop their mischief? No.” Another user, @ChrisEjiofor7, posted: “APC, other party politicians, and their minions are up against one man. Trying to find faults in his past leadership, but found none, hence their doses of propaganda.”
Obi’s statement marks yet another effort to maintain his consistent public image as a transparent, policy-driven, and incorruptible figure—qualities that continue to contrast sharply with the scandal-ridden political establishment under Tinubu’s administration.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
