In a dramatic new twist to the ongoing political drama between Senator Chris Anyanwu and former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim, the renowned journalist and politician has fired back at the 67-year-old ex-governor’s claims regarding an alleged apology letter she purportedly sent to the late General Sani Abacha.
Anyanwu, a former political prisoner under Abacha’s regime, responded sharply to Ohakim’s accusations, daring him to present the “lengthy letter of apology” he recently claimed she wrote to the military dictator.
Ohakim had, in a recent interview with journalists, alleged that Anyanwu had written to Abacha to apologize for falsely accusing the government in order to sell her magazine. Ohakim further threatened to make the alleged letter public to expose Anyanwu’s character.
However, Anyanwu—who spent three years in prison between 1995 and 1998 for treason, after reporting on an alleged failed coup against Abacha’s regime—has vehemently denied any such apology. In a statement issued on January 18, Anyanwu expressed disbelief at the accusation, challenging Ohakim to produce the letter in court for verification.
“I dare Governor Ikedi Ohakim to produce the letter in his possession in court before forensic experts before the eyes of the world,” Anyanwu declared. “This is a global story, not just local gossip. He should bring the letter, let it be tested for authenticity. We’ll see if it’s genuine or a fabrication,” she said, underscoring the magnitude of the claim.
Anyanwu pointed out that no one in Nigeria had ever spoken of such a letter, which allegedly contained an apology to Abacha. She questioned the very existence of the letter, asking, “Where was this letter written? When was it written? Who wrote it, and to whom was it sent?”
The veteran journalist, who is now 73, continued to dissect Ohakim’s assertions, calling them “hare-brained” and accusing the former governor of engaging in political mischief. “How does a man of Governor Ikedi’s age and standing sit down and fabricate such an absurd lie?” Anyanwu asked. “It’s beyond me. No one could write to Abacha and survive, let alone have a letter from him.”
She further criticized the timing of Ohakim’s claims, pointing out that the former governor’s involvement with Abacha’s government had never been mentioned in the plethora of books and reports written about that era. “Where was Governor Ohakim 30 years ago when people were fighting and dying for democracy? Was he working with the oppressors?” Anyanwu queried.
In her statement, Anyanwu, who had faced severe repression under Abacha’s regime, suggested that Ohakim’s access to such a letter might be a result of his political relationship with the military government. “There had to have been a relationship with the administration for them to hand him such a ‘dud’,” she asserted.
The former Imo governor has been accused of fabricating stories to bolster his political standing, a claim Anyanwu insists he must address. “Governor Ohakim must explain his involvement with Abacha’s government and how he came into possession of this ‘secret’ letter,” Anyanwu demanded.
Responding to other comments from Ohakim regarding her memoir, Bold Leap, Anyanwu further distanced herself from his attacks, emphasizing that the book was about her life and not about the politics of Imo State. “BOLD LEAP is my autobiography, meaning it’s my story, not Imo State’s or Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s,” she explained.
In the statement, Anyanwu took a dig at Ohakim’s public comments about her book. She accused him of not reading the memoir properly and resorting to “rambling generalities” instead of engaging with the specific contents. “Governor Ohakim must relax and read the full book. If he did, he would understand that Imo State and its toxic politics were merely small chapters in my long story,” Anyanwu added.
The autobiography, Bold Leap, was praised for its detailed recounting of Anyanwu’s life and the turbulent years she spent in prison. However, Ohakim criticized the book during his interview, questioning its factual accuracy, especially regarding the portrayal of political events in Imo State.
“I have a great deal of respect for the office of Governor,” Anyanwu said, addressing her response to Ohakim. “But when a former Governor speaks, a certain level of decorum and truthfulness is expected. It is a disappointment to see him descend into street brawls and beer parlor talk.”
Anyanwu, who has been a prominent voice in Nigerian journalism for decades, emphasized the need for accountability, especially in public life. “When someone in authority lies, it’s not just a personal matter. It’s a matter of public trust. Governor Ohakim must be held accountable for his actions,” she stated firmly.
The former Imo governor has yet to respond directly to Anyanwu’s dare to present the letter in court, but the stakes of this public feud are high. Anyanwu’s challenge to Ohakim is not just about refuting an accusation but about clearing her name and holding politicians accountable for misinformation.
“I do not know how to respond to Governor Ikedi Ohakim’s latest public spat without risking disrespecting the office he once held,” Anyanwu remarked. “But if he is deliberately misleading the public, then the truth must be set straight before his lies gain any more traction.”
In a final blow, Anyanwu reminded the former governor that public figures must adhere to a higher standard of integrity. “When a former Governor speaks, people listen,” she concluded. “But when they speak lies, they must be called out.”