…Says engagement was civic, not political
In response to renewed public discourse surrounding his past involvement in the now-defunct Port Decongestion Taskforce under the late General Sani Abacha regime, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has released a letter confirming his official co-opting into the taskforce.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi clarified that his participation was motivated purely by civic responsibility and economic concerns, rather than political affiliation or ambition.
“In consonance with my established principles of defending everything I am involved in, and in the interest of all men and women of goodwill, especially those committed to the pursuit of truth, I hereby attach the letter which documents my co-opting, along with others, into the Taskforce on the decongestion of the Ports,” Obi stated.
He explained that prior to the meeting with the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, he had never had any form of contact or association with him. According to Obi, the meeting was initiated by a group of traders and importers who were alarmed by the prolonged delays in clearing goods at Nigerian ports, which had begun to cripple business operations and threaten economic stability.
“We approached him not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions to a matter affecting economic activity and livelihoods,” Obi said.
He emphasized that the initiative stemmed from a shared desire to restore efficiency and normalcy in port operations, which were experiencing severe bottlenecks at the time. “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 explained.
Obi reiterated that his role in the taskforce had no political undertone, stressing that he has consistently maintained a posture of accountability and openness in public service. “This clarification is offered in the interest of truth, to reaffirm that our actions were driven solely by a sense of civic duty and not political ambition,” he noted.
While acknowledging that the release of the letter may not deter detractors, Obi said it was necessary to set the record straight. “I don’t expect this copious evidence to bury this Abacha case because the mischief makers have ulterior motives, 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,” he said.
The statement has been widely interpreted as a reaffirmation of Obi’s commitment to public accountability and his rejection of attempts to link him to the inner circles of the Abacha regime for political convenience
