By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has publicly clarified his past engagement with former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, describing it as a civic intervention borne out of economic necessity rather than political alignment.
In a statement titled “Our Engagement with General Abacha: Setting the Record Straight”, Obi said his involvement with the late General stemmed from concerns expressed by Nigerian importers and traders over prolonged delays in clearing goods at the nation’s ports. According to him, the engagement was part of a collective effort by the business community to restore efficiency in port operations.
Obi emphasized that prior to that encounter, he had never met Abacha and did not approach him as a political actor. Instead, he said the engagement was strictly to seek practical solutions to issues crippling economic activity and affecting livelihoods.
“Our intention was clear: to advocate for efficiency, and to propose practical steps towards restoring normalcy in port operations for the benefit of the wider business community and, ultimately, the Nigerian economy,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor also attached a letter as evidence of his co-option into a Taskforce on port decongestion, insisting the move was made in good faith and without any political ambitions.
“I don’t expect this copious evidence to bury this Abacha case because the mischief makers have ulterior motives,” he said. “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.”
Obi reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and civic responsibility, stressing that his involvement with the Abacha administration was purely functional and motivated by a desire to contribute to national economic stability.