Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has set the record straight on why he once met with Nigeria’s late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.

In a statement titled “Our Engagement with General Abacha: Setting the Record Straight,” released through his media aide, Valentine Obienyem, Obi addressed what he described as misconceptions surrounding the meeting.

Obi explained that contrary to rumours, his meeting with Abacha during the military era was not political. According to him, he and other traders and importers were simply trying to tackle the serious problem of prolonged delays in clearing goods at Nigeria’s ports.

“The meeting with General Abacha was not political in nature. I had never met General Sani Abacha prior to that encounter,” Obi stated.

He revealed that they sought the audience of the Head of State purely out of concern for their businesses and the nation’s economy. “We approached him not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions to a matter affecting economic activity and livelihoods,” he said.

Obi added that their objective was to advocate for more efficiency and propose practical steps to bring order back to the ports, which were vital for trade and national productivity.

“Our actions were driven solely by a sense of civic duty and not political ambition,” Obi stressed.

He also shared an official letter documenting his co-option — alongside other prominent traders and importers — into a government taskforce on port decongestion.

Wrapping up, Obi noted that his clarification was necessary “in the interest of all men and women of goodwill, especially those committed to the pursuit of truth.”