Nigeria was ostensibly in a transition to civilian rule. However, in an unprecedented move, all five government-sanctioned political parties—often referred to as the "five fingers of a leprous hand" by critic Chief Bola Ige—nominated Abacha as their sole presidential candidate. Key Events in the Final 100 Days 1. The Two-Million-Man March (March 1998)
In the months leading up to his death, Abacha had cracked down on opposition to his rule, arresting and detaining several prominent politicians, activists, and journalists. Many Nigerians had called for his resignation, citing his human rights abuses and alleged corruption.
The final 100 days of General Sani Abacha (approximately March to June 1998) were marked by intense paranoia, excessive display of power, and an unyielding desperation to succeed himself as a civilian president. Having taken power in November 1993, Abacha had systematically dismantled democratic structures and silenced opposition. last 100 days of abacha pdf 11
is a critical historical and political text written by renowned Nigerian journalist and author Olusegun Adeniyi . The book chronicles the dramatic final months leading up to the sudden death of Nigeria's military dictator, General Sani Abacha , on June 8, 1998 .
Abacha capitalized on this instability. On November 17, 1993, he staged a palace coup, dismantling all democratic structures, dissolving the national assembly, and replacing civilian governors with military administrators. The Reign of Fear Nigeria was ostensibly in a transition to civilian rule
On , the National Electoral Commission (NEC) released a timetable for local government elections (May) and state assembly elections (June), with presidential elections slated for August 1, 1998. However, Abacha had not publicly ruled out remaining in power. Foreign diplomats noted that his “unopposed” emergence as the consensus candidate of all five parties (a cynical, pre-arranged endorsement) seemed inevitable by April.
Some pivotal events during Abacha's final 100 days include: The Two-Million-Man March (March 1998) In the months
On March 2, 1998, a group of 34 eminent politicians, including former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, presented an 11-page memorandum urging Abacha to reject the nomination. The group warned that accepting would "create the impression that Nigeria is degenerating to a state of outlaw and anarchy". This plea was a rare moment of collective courage from the political elite. However, a faction of Northern political leaders publicly defended Abacha's candidacy, deepening the political fault lines.
The book is not merely a timeline of events; it is a critical analysis of Nigerian political culture.