Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has refuted claims suggesting that he served under the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.
Obi issued a detailed statement on Wednesday via his social media platforms, addressing renewed allegations about his alleged involvement with the Abacha government, which was widely criticised for human rights violations and large-scale corruption during its rule from 1993 to 1998.
The controversy was reignited by former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who alleged that Obi was linked to the regime through activities at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
In response, Obi released official documents to support his claim that he was only co-opted into a port decongestion taskforce at the time, alongside other private sector stakeholders. He clarified that the engagement was purely economic and devoid of political affiliation or ambition.
“In consonance with my established principles of defending everything I am involved in, and in the interest of all men and women of goodwill, especially those committed to the pursuit of truth, I hereby attach the letter which documents my co-opting, along with others, into the Taskforce on the decongestion of the Ports,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor emphasized that he had never met General Abacha prior to that encounter and that the engagement arose from concerns within the business community.
“Our meeting with him was borne out of collective concern as traders and importers over the prolonged delays in clearing goods at the ports. We approached him not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions to a matter affecting economic activity and livelihoods,” he explained.
He added that the intervention was motivated by civic duty rather than any political ambition, stressing that his role was to advocate for efficiency and propose reforms to improve port operations.
Obi concluded his statement by reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability:
“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.”
Attached to his statement was a copy of the letter documenting his appointment to the port taskforce.
https://web.facebook.com/PeterObiGregory/posts/1245956656978111?ref=embed_post