ABUJA, NIGERIA – Amid growing online allegations and political speculation, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has released official documents to refute claims of political involvement with the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Obi’s response followed viral social media commentary linking him to the Abacha administration, which ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998 and is widely regarded as one of the most oppressive and corrupt regimes in Nigerian history.
The allegations gained traction after former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, claimed that Obi had dealings with the Abacha junta through alleged activities at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi shared letters that documented his inclusion in a government taskforce created to address port congestion during Abacha’s rule.
Obi maintained that he had no prior relationship with General Abacha and had only met him in the capacity of a concerned trader and importer.
According to the former governor, the meeting with Abacha was not politically motivated but was part of an effort to seek urgent solutions to the prolonged port delays that were crippling businesses across the country.
He stated that the engagement with the regime stemmed from collective concerns among business stakeholders, not personal political ambitions or affiliations.
In his words, “I had never met General Sani Abacha before that encounter.”
He further explained that his meeting with the dictator was “borne out of collective concern as traders and importers over the prolonged delays in clearing goods at the ports.”
Obi emphasized that the traders approached the head of state purely as economic stakeholders, advocating for smoother operations at the ports and broader economic relief.
The letter Obi published confirmed his co-opting into the Presidential Taskforce on Port Decongestion alongside other stakeholders in the business sector.
He said the primary objective was to restore normalcy in Nigeria’s port system and ease the burden on Nigerian importers and the economy at large.
Obi stressed that his role was civic and economic, not political.
He stated that this clarification is necessary in the interest of truth and transparency.
He accused critics of deliberate mischief aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of future political developments.
Obi concluded that he did not expect the evidence to silence those pushing the allegations but insisted that the public deserves to know the facts.
The statement reaffirms Obi’s longstanding image as a technocratic leader focused on governance and economic reform.
Obi has consistently maintained a reputation for frugality, transparency, and civic engagement, both as a former governor and a presidential candidate.
The clarification is expected to calm his supporters and redirect political discourse toward verifiable records and documented truth.
The late General Abacha’s government was notorious for widespread human rights abuses and alleged theft of billions of dollars from public funds.
Obi’s prompt publication of documentary evidence appears to be an attempt to distinguish his engagement with the regime from complicity in its atrocities.
Critics and observers alike await reactions from those who earlier pushed the narrative linking him to the military regime.
As the 2027 election season approaches, political commentary surrounding key opposition figures like Obi is likely to intensify.
Whether this disclosure will silence detractors or fuel further debate remains to be seen.
