The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has strongly denied claims that he worked for or had personal ties with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated misinformation.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Obi shared a 1996 appointment letter issued by the then-military government, clarifying that his role was strictly civic and economic, not political.
“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 wrote.
He emphasized that he never had any direct contact with Abacha, stating:
“I had never met General Sani Abacha before that encounter.”
Obi, a former Anambra State governor and a key figure in Nigeria’s reform movement, explained that the Federal Government Task Force on Ports Decongestion was established to tackle inefficiencies affecting port operations during the mid-1990s—an effort aimed at supporting economic productivity, not serving political interests.
His clarification comes amid renewed scrutiny and social media accusations alleging he was aligned with Abacha’s regime, which was widely condemned for human rights abuses, suppression of opposition, and massive looting of public funds during its rule from 1993 to 1998.
Dismissing the claims as the work of “mischief makers,” Obi said:
“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 reaffirmed that his involvement with the task force stemmed from a sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to economic reform, not political ambition.
Obi concluded by underscoring his dedication to transparency and accountability, urging that public discourse be grounded in verified facts, not politically charged assumptions.
