25 years after Abacha died, 10 things that stood him out

Today, June 8, makes it 25 years that General Sani Abacha, one of Nigeria former Head of State died suddenly.

His death was officially announced by evening if that fateful Monday.
General Abacha died early on Monday, June 8, 1998 of alleged poisoning after eating apples given to him by women of easy.

Abacha, the husband of Mariam Abacha came to power in a palace coup d'etat on November 17, 1993 after ceasing power from Chief Ernst Shonekan, the Head of State and Chairman of the Interim National Government put in place by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida when he left office.

Before becoming Head of State, Abacha had been Defence Minister of Defence, Chief of Defense Staff and Chief of Army Staff.

He was also General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army Osogbo, Ibadan.

Abacha was born on September 20, 1943 in Kano State.

10 things that stood Abacha out

1. As Head of State, he was most feared because his regime promoted assassinations which included those of Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane and attempted assassination of Michael Ibru.

2. He arrested Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Musa Yar'Adua on phantom coup d'etat charges and had them jailed until Yar'Adua died instead of executed due to international pressure.

3. Also, General Oladipo Diya and others were also arrested and sentenced to death on coup d'etat charges.

4. Ken Saro Wiwa, a human and environmental rights activist and the Ogoni 8 were executed hurriedly after found guilty which led to the suspension of Nigeria from the Common wealth Organisation.

5. The acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) was arrested and placed in detention until he died in 1999 after allegedly taking a cup of tea.

6. He is credited for increasing the states from 30 to 36 by adding Bayelsa, Zamfara, Gombe, Nasarawa, Ebonyi and Ekiti States.

7. His regime also splintered Nigeria into six geopolitical zones; namely, North West, North East, North Central, South West, South East and South South geopolitical zones.

8. He forced the five political parties then to adopt him as their consensus candidate and even organised by proxy the "One million man match in March".

9. He is infamously credited with the stealing of billions of Dollars of Nigerian money which is still being slowly repatriated even today.

10. He is also credited in to have participated in every military coup d'etats in Nigeria from July 29, 1966 counter coup to the November 17, 1993 palace coup d'etat in which he emerged as Head of State.




FI