Peter Obi Clarifies Engagement with Abacha-Era Taskforce, Denies Political Motive

Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has again clarified his past engagement with the late General Sani Abacha’s regime, stressing that his involvement with the military government was strictly based on economic concerns and not political alignment.

In a statement titled “Our Engagement with General Abacha: Setting the Record Straight,” Obi released a letter documenting his co-option—along with others—into the Taskforce on Port Decongestion, explaining that his participation was aimed at addressing delays in clearing goods at Nigerian ports, which was crippling trade and economic activity at the time.

“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 said.

He reiterated that prior to that encounter, he had never met General Abacha and that the meeting stemmed solely from collective concerns raised by traders and importers. According to him, the delegation met the military ruler not as political allies, but as concerned businesspeople seeking solutions.

“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 said.

Obi noted that the team’s objective was to advocate for efficiency in port operations, with the broader goal of supporting Nigeria’s economic health and the wellbeing of its business community.

“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 stated.

While acknowledging that critics may continue to misrepresent the facts, Obi maintained that his public record must reflect the reality of his intentions and actions.

“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 concluded.