FACT-CHECK: Was Obi Ever Pictured Having Coffee with Gen Sani Abacha at the Presidential Villa?
CLAIM: A viral image circulating on social media, especially on X, claims to show Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, sharing coffee with the late Nigerian military ruler, General Sani Abacha, at the Presidential Villa.
The accompanying text suggests a contradiction, stating: “A rare throwback of Peter Obi and the late General Sani Abacha enjoying coffee together at the Presidential Villa. One of those who murdered on June 12 coming now as a democrat!!!”
The image in question shows two men seated in what appears to be a formal setting. One is dressed in civilian attire while the other wears military uniform, with a visible Nigerian flag and coat of arms in the background, an arrangement often associated with the Presidency.
The post quickly garnered traction on various social media platforms, especially among politically-engaged users, many of whom viewed the image and caption as an attempt to question Obi’s democratic credentials. It surfaced amid fresh debates about Peter Obi’s alleged ties to the Abacha regime, accusations he recently responded to by releasing an official document clarifying his stance.
General Sani Abacha ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998. He was recently blamed by Former President Ibrahim Babangida for being behind the annulment of the 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by MKO Abiola and for widespread human rights abuses.
Peter Obi’s political journey began much later, with his first gubernatorial election victory in 2003 (he assumed office in 2006 after legal battles).
Verification: PRNigeria’s fact-check team launched a thorough investigation to determine the authenticity of the image and the veracity of the claim. A closer look at the image using forensic tools and reverse image searches reveals red flags suggesting digital alteration. The post started trending on social media platforms on 10th July, 2025.
PRNigeria’ findings indicates that the photo lacks credible archival sourcing, and no verifiable evidence exists in public records to confirm that the individuals are indeed Peter Obi and General Sani Abacha. The image’s sepia tone, combined with its low resolution and staged appearance, further casts doubt on its legitimacy. Equally, no reputable media outlet or official record has ever documented such a meeting between the two.
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Additional inquest revealed that in response to fresh allegations that he worked for the Abacha government, Peter Obi recently released a copy of a letter allegedly dated 1996, showing his appointment to a board on behalf of a private company.
According to him, “As I stated during my interview at the weekend and have consistently maintained, I had never met General Sani Abacha before that encounter,” Obi noted.
“Our meeting with him was borne out of collective concern as traders and importers over the prolonged delays in clearing goods at the ports. We approached him not as political actors, but as concerned citizens seeking pragmatic solutions to a matter affecting economic activity and livelihoods.”
The document was intended to clarify that his engagement was strictly professional and not a political appointment under the regime.
Similarly, The post’s reference to Abacha as one who “murdered June 12” aligns with historical criticism of his actions regarding the 1993 election.
Further investigation revealed that this is not the first instance of such image manipulation aimed at tarnishing political figures. A similar doctored image allegedly showing President Bola Tinubu with Abacha also made rounds on social media. In that case, too, no credible source validated the authenticity of the photograph.
PRNigeria fact-check findings also revealed multiple inconsistencies in the viral photo. Notably, the logo on General Sani Abacha’s beret does not match the official insignia used by the Nigerian Army. Additionally, the epaulettes on his shoulders are inconsistent with those worn by Nigerian military officers.
Furthermore, Abacha was known to have distinct tribal marks, which are visibly missing in the image. These discrepancies strongly suggest that the photograph is doctored and was likely created as a tool of political propaganda.
Conclusion: PRNigeria’s fact-check investigation finds no reliable evidence that Peter Obi was ever pictured having coffee with General Sani Abacha at the Presidential Villa. The photo appears to be digitally manipulated and lacks corroboration from any historical records or credible media archives. The context provided in the caption is sarcastic and politically charged, rather than factual.
Verdict: MISLEADING
By PRNigeria
