Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has denied claims that he worked for the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha. He released an official document to debunk the allegation and clear his name.
Obi shared the document on his X page on Wednesday, showing his appointment to a Federal Government Task Force on Ports Decongestion in 1996. The letter, he said, proves he never worked for Abacha or held any political role under his regime.
Obi clarified, “As I stated during my weekend interview and as I have always said, I never met General Sani Abacha before that encounter.”
Document Shows Peter Obi’s Task Was Civic, Not Political
According to Obi, his involvement with the task force was purely civic and economic. He explained that the task force was set up to solve problems at Nigeria’s ports, which were affecting trade and businesses.
He said, “Our task was to push for better logistics and improve Nigeria’s business environment. It had nothing to do with politics.”
Obi stressed that the letter only shows he was among those drafted to solve port issues, and not a political ally of the military government.
Peter Obi Says Mischief Makers Behind Abacha Allegations
Obi accused those linking him to Abacha of having hidden agendas. He said that even after sharing the document, some people will still keep spreading falsehoods.
“I don’t expect this evidence to silence mischief makers because they already have their motives,” Obi stated.
However, he said sharing the document was necessary for transparency and to set the record straight for Nigerians who value the truth.
He concluded, “This clarification is for the sake of truth. Our actions then were guided by civic duty, not politics. I am putting this out there for posterity and to maintain my commitment to openness.”
Bottom Line
Peter Obi’s denial of working for Abacha has reignited debates over the motives of his opponents. While some Nigerians see his release of the document as a strong defense, others believe the allegations may continue. However, Obi’s position remains clear—he insists his only link to Abacha was his civic work on ports decongestion, nothing more.
