7 Important Things History Wont Forget About Abacha

Exactly 17 years ago today, General Sanni Abacha died, but not without leaving Nigerians some memories to think about.

Born on September 20, 1943, the Nigeria’s military head of state from November 17, 1993 to June 8, 1998 died at the age of 54. Here are a few things history can’t forget about the military  head of state whose tenure was a threat to anyone against his government.

READ ALSO: Nigerians React To Abacha’s Newly Discovered $370m Loot

1. Abacha can be said to be the most successful coup plotter of all time. He’s been involved in a couple of  successful coups. He single-handedly planned and executed the coup that brought and removed General Muhammadu Buhari from power in 1983.

2. The deceased former military head of state was described as an ‘epitome of military discipline’ by some quarters. This is as a result of the fact that even with his ‘power-drunk’ administration,  did not accept a single political appointment throughout his military career.

3. Abacha is the first Nigerian soldier to get to the rank of a full General without skipping a single rank.

4.  Although the Abacha’s administration was very controversial with lots of human rights abuses, his administration was the first to record unprecedented economic achievements. The economy had an increase in the country’s foreign exchange reserves and a reduced in the external debt of Nigeria. Even the military ruler’s close associate calls him a ‘good manager’.

5. Abacha is known as a man of “few words and deadly actions”. He does not say too much but acts instead. This shutdown the media in the country, civil rights groups and pro-democracy campaigns during his brutal regime.

6. Abacha had quite lot of  scandals. He hung Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, jailed  Moshood Abiola and Olusegun Obasanjo and Wole Soyinka was charged with treason in absentia.

7. Abacha and his family looted a total of £5 billion from the country’s coffers. No wonder he was tagged the fourth most corrupt leader in history in 2004.

 

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