In his evocative account of the day General Sani Abacha, the former military ruler of Nigeria, passed away, veteran journalist and public affairs analyst Dr. Dayo Sobowale painted a picture of widespread public celebration, relief, and terror..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In an interview with Arise TV, Sobowale described the precise moment he learnt of Abacha’s untimely passing on June 8, 1998. Given the repressive nature of the dictatorship, he said, the announcement was greeted with both cautious excitement and horror.
“Ayo, the mighty has fallen,” my friend Eric Teniola stated over the phone, and I replied, ‘Don’t put me in trouble.'” “I let the phone drop,” Sobowale remembered. And I checked outside to see if any police vans were in the area. It was that awful. It was that awful. Sobowale’s remarks perfectly encapsulated the atmosphere of terror that characterised Nigeria under Abacha’s leadership, which was characterised by political assassinations, arbitrary arrests, and violations of fundamental rights. Many Nigerians who had suffered under his rule felt relieved when he passed away, apparently from a sudden heart attack.
Even in private settings, Sobowale observed, the response was instantaneous and intense. He emphasised the intense animosity that many had for him by saying, “He was so bad that people rejoiced.” Since then, the video has gone viral, igniting fresh debates on Abacha’s legacy, the tenacity of Nigerians under authoritarian control, and the contrast with the current democratic climate. Sobowale’s story serves as a reminder of both the lasting value of freedom and democratic governance as well as a troubling period in Nigeria’s history.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>