- Obi attributed the anonymous author’s reluctance to reveal their identity as a sign of fear regarding his growing political influence.
- Obi was not a politician, “but he admired and voted for Abiola through the late former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo, with whom he was his fan and admirer.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has publicly denounced a social media report linking him to the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), a group associated with the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Eko Hot Blog reports
In a statement issued by his media spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, Obi suggested that the allegations were made by hired mercenaries aiming to damage his reputation and political prospects.
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The statement highlighted a similar publication from June 2023 and emphasized that Obi was not involved, directly or indirectly, in the June 12 struggle.
Obi attributed the anonymous author’s reluctance to reveal their identity as a sign of fear regarding his growing political influence.
“While he supported and voted for the late MKO Abiola in 1993, soon after the election, he relocated to the United Kingdom with his family, where he ran a decent, successful business that received encouragement and support from credible finance institutions all over the world because of the integrity and reputation put in it,” the statement said.
It added that as of 1993, Obi was not a politician, “but he admired and voted for Abiola through the late former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo, with whom he was his fan and admirer.
“Even while at the university in Nsukka, Obi was not into politics as he was more associated as a student entrepreneur.”
Obi said before becoming governor he never worked or held any government position, and never worked in the Nigeria Ports Authority.
According to the statement, Obi provided clarification regarding his involvement with the late General Sani Abacha’s government, stating that his closest connection was through his work on a port de-congestion committee.
Obi explained that his petition on port congestion attracted Abacha’s attention, leading to his appointment as an advocate for port de-congestion.
This committee work lasted less than four months and was the extent of Obi’s involvement with Abacha’s government.
“Whatever status Obi is enjoying today within and outside the country is due to the high integrity he brought into what he does, whether in business or politics.
“After eight years of outstanding governance to the people of Anambra State, providing basic infrastructure to the people, clearing inherited pension and salary arrears of over N35 billion, Obi stood out as good governance model,” the statement added.
It noted that Obi’s outstanding performance and transparency in the deployment of public funds earned him the Governor of the Decade.
“This is the man some hirelings are making fruitless efforts to dent by cooking up lies against him including saying that he was against June 12 when he was not even resident in Nigeria during the June 12 imbroglio,” POMR stated.
