Peter Obi, the Labour Party's former presidential candidate, has explained the circumstances that led to his interaction with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, during Nigeria's military rule. In a statement released on Wednesday and titled "Our Engagement with General Abacha: Setting the Record Straight," Obi's media aide, Valentine Obienyem, shared the official letter showing that Obi, along with other traders and importers, was drafted into the Taskforce on Port Decongestion.
The former Governor of Anambra State said it was important to issue this clarification "in the interest of all men and women of goodwill, especially those committed to the pursuit of truth."
Obi explained, "The meeting with General Abacha was not political in nature. I had never met General Sani Abacha, prior to that encounter. Our meeting 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.
"The objective of the meeting was to advocate for efficiency and to propose practical steps to restore order and productivity at the nation's ports. Our actions were driven solely by a sense of civic duty and not political ambition. This clarification is offered in the interest of truth."
