Peter Obi Releases Abacha-Era Appointment Letter, Reveals New Details
In a move aimed at quelling persistent allegations of close ties with Nigeria’s late military dictator, Sani Abacha, former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has released an official appointment letter dated April 24, 1996, confirming the scope and nature of his involvement under the Abacha regime.
The document, which Obi made public on Tuesday, shows he was appointed Co-opted Coordinator on the Federal Government Taskforce on Ports Decongestion, specifically assigned to Apapa Port.
The letter was signed by then-Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Abu Gidado, and directed various customs and port authorities to give Obi and other appointed business leaders the necessary support to expedite the clearance of goods clogging Nigeria’s main seaports.
According to Obi, this appointment was never a political role, but rather a civic engagement to help tackle the economic impact of severe delays and congestion at Apapa:
“I have never met Abacha. My involvement was purely in the interest of easing the suffering of Nigerian businesses and importers who were facing crippling backlogs,” Obi stated while unveiling the document.
He described the controversy as “a campaign of calumny by mischief makers” determined to distort his record and score political points.
The release of this evidence follows recent viral claims that Obi was part of Abacha’s political machinery or benefitted from illicit contracts during the junta years—an allegation he firmly denies.
What the Appointment Letter Shows
Date Issued: April 24, 1996
Purpose: Ports decongestion and logistics improvement
Signatory: Alhaji Abu Gidado, Minister of State for Finance
Scope: Coordination of customs and port operations at Apapa Port
Role: Co-opted Coordinator among other importers and business leaders
Obi further clarified that his involvement was issue-specific and stemmed from his active role in Nigeria’s import and trading community at the time:“
I was invited because I was a major importer whose business was badly affected by port congestion. That was all. There was no political engagement or reward,” he emphasized.
Public Reactions
The disclosure has triggered mixed reactions. Supporters have applauded Obi’s transparency, arguing it reinforces his longstanding image as a reform-minded technocrat. Critics, however, insist the revelation still raises questions about business interests under military rule.
Despite the heated debate, Obi has restated his commitment to openness and accountability, promising to publish further records if necessary.
As Nigeria approaches another pivotal election cycle, the unveiling of this letter underscores how historical associations can be weaponized in contemporary politics—and why public figures are increasingly compelled to document their past engagements in detail.
Stay with headlineswave.ng for more updates on this story as reactions continue to pour in.
