Abuja, Nigeria – July 9, 2025 – Njenje Media News
The 2023 Nigerian presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has released official documents to address longstanding allegations regarding his association with the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha. In a detailed post on X earlier today, Obi shared a letter dated April 24, 1996, from the Federal Ministry of Finance, which appoints him to a task force focused on decongesting Nigerian ports. The move comes in response to social media claims suggesting a political alliance with Abacha, whose regime (1993-1998) is widely criticised for corruption and human rights abuses.
Obi emphasised that his involvement was purely economic, driven by concerns over prolonged delays in port operations that hampered trade and livelihoods. “Our meeting with him was borne out of collective concern as traders and importers… not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions,” Obi stated in the post. The official letter, addressed from the office of the Minister of Finance in Abuja, lists Obi alongside other appointees, including Chief Mike Okonkwo and Prince Tony Anenih, to coordinate efforts with various port committees.
A second page of the document indicates the task force’s mandate to work with port authorities and ensure cooperation from relevant stakeholders. Obi, who has consistently advocated for transparency, noted that the evidence is intended to set the record straight and counter “mischief makers with ulterior motives.” He added, “I don’t expect this copious evidence to bury this Abacha case… but it’s being placed in the public space for posterity and in line with my transparency pledge to Nigerians.” The clarification has sparked varied reactions online. Supporters, including @TheSerahIbrahim, praised Obi’s integrity, highlighting the task force’s success in decongesting ports without reported corruption.
Critics, however, remain sceptical, with some pointing to broader political narratives surrounding the 2027 elections, where Obi and Atiku Abubakar recently joined forces under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu. Historical context underscores the significance of Obi’s statement. Abacha’s regime was marred by allegations of embezzlement, with a 1998 Nigerian police investigation estimating he and his associates stole over $1.5 billion, part of which was later recovered through international efforts.
Meanwhile, economic analyses, such as a 2000 World Bank report, noted that port inefficiencies during the 1990s cost Nigeria up to 30% of its GDP annually, lending credence to Obi’s claim of addressing a critical economic issue. As the debate continues, Obi’s release of documentation reinforces his “Go and Verify” approach, a hallmark of his political brand, leaving the public to weigh the evidence amid Nigeria’s complex political landscape.
