By John Alechenu

ABUJA – The 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has dismissed what he described as a desperate attempt by blackmailers to link him to the controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

In a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, spokesman for the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), on Tuesday, Obi clarified that while he supported and voted for the late MKO Abiola, he was not part of the political struggle surrounding the election.

POMR accused blackmailers of reviving false and malicious claims, alleging that Obi was connected to Arthur Nzeribe’s Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), which played a role in the election’s annulment.

The statement read: “Such a brazen sunken story whose motive is well known ordinarily should not deserve our response, but for the credulous public that may not be privy to these facts.”

Obi’s media team emphasized that: He was never directly or indirectly involved in the June 12 struggle.

After the 1993 election, he relocated to the UK with his family, running a successful business supported by international financial institutions due to his integrity and reputation.

At the time, Obi was not a politician but an admirer of Abiola, voting for him through his connection with the late former Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo.

While at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Obi was not politically active but was known as a student entrepreneur.

Obi also debunked claims that he was a beneficiary of military rule, clarifying that:

He never held any government position before becoming Governor of Anambra State.

His only interaction with the Abacha administration was when his petition on port congestion led to his inclusion in an advocacy committee for port decongestion, which lasted less than four months.

He was never employed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

POMR stressed that Obi’s political and business successes were built on integrity and transparency, noting that:

As Governor of Anambra State, he provided basic infrastructure, cleared over ₦35 billion in inherited pension and salary arrears, and left office without owing salaries, pensions, or contractors.

He left behind over $150 million and ₦30 billion in state savings.

His financial prudence earned him the title of “Governor of the Decade.”

Since leaving office over 10 years ago, he has never benefited from state funds or privileges.

The statement concluded: “This is the man some hirelings are making fruitless efforts to tarnish by cooking up lies, including falsely claiming he opposed June 12 when he was not even in Nigeria during the crisis but residing in the UK.”