Obi Defends Past Engagement With Late Abacha, Releases Official Evidence

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has publicly addressed his past involvement with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, presenting documentary evidence to clarify the nature of their engagement.

In a statement shared on Wednesday via his official X handle, Obi emphasised that his interaction with the Abacha regime was strictly professional, devoid of any political undertone or ambition.

According to Obi, his involvement stemmed from a collective initiative by traders and importers—himself included—who sought solutions to the persistent delays plaguing cargo clearance at Nigerian ports. Their advocacy led to the formation of a task force on port decongestion, into which he was co-opted.

“Our meeting with him was borne out of collective concern as traders and importers over the prolonged delays in clearing goods at the ports,” Obi stated. “We approached him not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions.”

He further noted that the engagement was solely aimed at fostering efficiency in port operations to support business growth and stimulate the national economy.

To substantiate his position, Obi made public a formal letter of his appointment to the task force. He reiterated that his participation was consistent with his enduring commitment to transparency, civic responsibility and the national interest.

“This clarification is offered in the interest of truth, to reaffirm that our actions were driven solely by a sense of civic duty and not political ambition,” he said.

While acknowledging that the explanation may not dissuade what he described as “mischief makers with ulterior motives,” Obi maintained that setting the record straight was vital for posterity and aligned with his promise to remain accountable to Nigerians.