Former presidential candidate Peter Obi claims General Sani Abacha showed more democratic values than some June 12 activists. Obi’s comments and his civic role in the 1996 Apapa Port task force spark debate online.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has sparked debate after suggesting that General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s late military ruler, demonstrated more democratic tendencies than some activists of the June 12 era.
In a social media post, Obi wrote: “Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame.”
He added:
“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed. Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character.”
Obi concluded with a message of hope: “A New Nigeria is possible.”
The comments have already stirred reactions on social media, with critics questioning the comparison and others defending Obi’s assessment as a critique of current political conduct.
Obi’s remarks come alongside renewed attention to his civic involvement during Abacha’s rule.
In 1996, when Nigeria’s ports were heavily congested, Obi, then a business leader, joined other traders in meeting government officials to advocate for solutions.
The finance ministry subsequently co-opted several business leaders, including Obi, into a temporary task force on port decongestion at Apapa and other entry points.
Obi has emphasised that his role on the task force was purely civic and economic, aimed at solving practical challenges rather than serving in a political capacity.
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He has stated that he never met General Abacha personally and has consistently denied holding any government appointment, noting that his first official political office was as governor of Anambra State in 2006.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
