Obi was never a protégé of Arthur Nzeribe’s ABN, Obidient Movement says

From Idu Jude, Abuja

The leadership of the Obidient Movement has again debunked the rumour that Mr Peter Obi was involved in the activities of the late Senator Arthur Nzeribe’s defunct Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) during the struggle for democracy.

The group, in a press statement on Tuesday, noted that, for the umpteenth time, blackmailers have resurrected a fictitious and malicious write-up, hoping to use it to dent the rising political profile of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election.

It stated that as of 1993, Obi was not a politician, but he admired and voted for Abiola through the late former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, of whom he was a fan and admirer. Even while at university in Nsukka, Obi was not into politics as he was more associated with being a student entrepreneur.

It further stressed that the reputation Obi took into business, which stood him out, was what he took into politics. Before becoming Governor, he never worked in or held any government position. He never worked at the Nigeria Ports Authority.

“The closest he came to the late General Sani Abacha’s government was when his petition on port congestion attracted Abacha’s attention, and he co-opted him into an advocate committee for port de-congestion that lasted less than four months.

“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 35 billion naira, leaving office not owing any salary, pension, or contractors, and leaving office with huge investments, plus a savings of over $150 million and 30 million naira in various Nigerian banks, Obi stood out as a good governance model.

“His good governance delivery, plus transparency in the deployment of public funds, earned him the title of Governor of the Decade.

“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 financial institutions all over the world because of the integrity and reputation he put into it.”

Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement has urged the general public to shun such a brazen story, whose motive is well known and ordinarily should not deserve its response, but for the credulous public that may not be privy to these facts. And, because of the level of distortion of facts in the write-up, which has no author, it felt compelled to respond.

It reminded the public that the group is well aware of the renewed activities of some well-mobilised mercenaries given the arduous task of concocting lies to de-market Peter Obi.

“The motive, which is well known to us, is to dent Obi and diminish his rising profile, which stands him out as one of the most outstanding Nigerian democrats today, whose belief in the rule of law and non-violence policy remains remarkable.

“The writer is unable to appreciate the outstanding principles in Obi, his high standing on uncommon principles that remain verifiable.

“We would, therefore, like to urge members of the reading public to treat this as a malicious effort that should be sent to the rubbish bin.”