SANI ABACHA, Nigeria’s Most Enigmatic Ruler part 5

SANI ABACHA, Nigeria’s Most Enigmatic Ruler part4 HERE

SUPPORT

Abacha received overwhelming support from the northern part of the country, particularly Kano State where he grew up. He also had people like Daniel Kanu organizing rallies in his support. Kanu, the son of the billionaire owner of Agura Hotel in Abuja, Chief Maxwell Kanu, is known for setting up the Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) campaign. Abacha was also a hero in the subregion, especially in countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia. He also had a warm relationship with Muammar Gaddafi of Libya (who came to visit him but caused a stir at the airport and was annoyed at al-Mustapha’s overzealousness in protecting Abacha) and the late leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Yasser Arafat.

The General Sani Abacha YEAA wristwatch.

-Abacha was also best of friends with former President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana. At an official meeting with British Prime Minister John Major in 1996 to discuss Ghana’s economic issues in London, Rawlings launched into a confrontation and sharply defended Abacha rather than discuss the koko on ground. He spent all the time meant for the meeting to give an emotional defence of Abacha. He accused the British PM of being ignorant about issues in Nigeria and defended Abacha’s policies and human rights records and dismissed opponents as agents of Western propaganda. The British PM was visibly shaken by Rawlings’ emotional outburst.

General Abacha with former President of Ghana and good friend, Jerry J. Rawlings. When Abacha died, the Ghanaian government ordered that the flag be flown at half mast for three days.

-Also, there were several groups that sprang up all over the country urging Abacha to succeed himself (like during the Obasanjo Third Term agenda saga) and dump the uniform for the agbada. According to The Economist: Of the five parties, only the GDM was thought to have a modicum of independence from the government. But when the time came to choose a candidate, some 1,000 party members were persuaded by bribes or threats to push aside their own man, Mohammed Dikko Yusufu, a respected former police chief, in favour of Mr Abacha, who is not a member of their party and has not even declared himself ready to stand for election.

Apart from YEAA’98 mentioned above, others included: -ASOMO - Abacha Solidarity Movement - 21st Generation Insist on Abacha -NANS for Abacha -General Sani Abacha Movement for Unity and Stability (GESAM). -General Sani Abacha Movement for Peaceful and Successful Transition Programme (GESAM ’98). -NACYAN -National Council for Youth Associations of Nigeria which organized the Great March in March (Million-Man March for Abacha, March 2-3, 1998, for which N500 million was allegedly budgeted for, as at 1998 values). The chief organizer of the march and NACYAN’s vice president Daniel Kanu said: ”The funds came from a number of patriotic individuals in the country who believe in the cause we are fighting. Even if we got any grant from the government, there’s nothing absolutely wrong with that… nothing wrong in the government funding very worthy projects for them to be realised.”

During the rally, two helicopters belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) patrolled the area for the two days. -NMPC – National Mobilisation and Persuasion Committee - All-Nigeria Youth for Abacha ’98 -Vision 2010 for Abacha -NMPS – National Movement for Peace and Stability -Vision ’98 Abacha for President -UAN – United Action for Nigeria -The Abacha Committee of Friends -MIDIA – Movement for Indigenous Democracy -RLC – Radio Listeners Club -NBYO – Nigeria-British Youth Orgnisation -NYDD – Nigerian Youth Democratic Diplomats -Youths for Consensus Abacha ’98 -NEC – Northern Elders Committee -Agenda ’98 -NLGCCF – Nigeria Local Govts’ Chairmen Consultative Forum -NAMAP – National Movement for Abacha’s Presidency -MID – Movement for Independent Democracy -One other prominent individual who gave tremendous support to Abacha’s self-succession bid was Anambra-born Prince Arthur Eze, an oil tycoon. Known simply as ‘The Godfather’, Prince Eze stunned the whole country recently on 16th March 2013 when he donated a sum of N1.8 billion naira ($12 million) for the country home church of President Jonathan (St Stephen’s Anglican Deanery and Youth Development Centre, Otuoke). Prince Eze came to venue of the funraising (Civic Centre, Lagos) in style in one of his five shimmering Rolls Royces (Phantom). A total of N6 billion naira was raised that day.

FOREIGN POLICIES ETC

-FOREIGN POLICY

Although he was shunned on the global stage, Abacha established himself as widely-respected behemoth in the West African subregion. Peacekeeping activities in Sierra Leone and Liberia were his strong points. In Sierra Leone today, Abacha is viewed as a magnanimous hero. Abacha also had to grapple with the long-standing border conflicts with neighboring nations.   Although he was widely despised at home, Abacha was glorified in the subregion. He took foreign policy seriously and hired consultants and paid them millions of dollars to polish his image before the world (we’d come to that as soon as possible). When Liberia was holding elections in 1997, Abacha was portrayed as a lover of democracy, he sent his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Sule Hamma to coordinate the observer mission monitoring elections in Liberia. Also, when the kasala between Nigeria and Cameroon broke out over the Bakassi Peninsula (the whole fracas broke out under Shagari in 1982), his Presidential Adviser on Legal Matters, Professor Auwalu Yadudu was on hand to assist with the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands. At that time, the land and maritime boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon was the largest case to have ever come before the ICJ. In December 1993, Abacha ordered a heavy deployment of troops into the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to protect Nigerians in the area. But Cameroon took this as an invasion of their sovereignty and headed for the World Court in March 1994. The most interesting part of the case was that Abacha adhered to all the proceedings, respecting international law (calming down fears of an all-out war between Nigeria and Cameroon) while he violated human rights at will in the land.

-Abacha also made moves for Nigeria to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. A general staff officer in his administration, Major General Lawrence Onoja told the United Nations point blank: ‘there was no point paying lip service to democracy if the UN is not democratised by expanding the Security Council to give new members veto power.’ One thing that you cannot take away from the Abacha government was the seriousness with which he handled Nigeria’s membership into the UN Security Council as a permanent member in 1997. It is a pity he did not succeed, Nigeria’s clout would have been much more influential by now. And yes, Wada Nas, his special adviser, was also on hand to issue inflammatory statements against nations deemed enemies of the junta.

-His relationship with the government of President Nicephore Soglo of Benin Republic was sour as the nation gave support to the opposition. Relationship between the two nations would only improve when Mathieu Kerekou came to power after defeating Soglo in 1996.

-ECOMOG (ECOWAS MONITORING GROUP)

A steadfast believer in the inherent strength of Africa, Abacha contributed vast resources of the country to maintaining peace and stability in the West African subregion even if that meant bleeding the national treasury. Well, IBB did the same too. Heading 9,000-strong ECOMOG force in 1994 under Abacha was Major-General John Inienger whom IBB almost fired for disagreeing with him over the June 12 issue. It took the intervention of Abacha to calm IBB’s temper. With time, Nigerians would decry the massive amount of funds Abacha was pumping into the peacekeeping efforts while the nation lacked basic infrastructure. Quite a number of Nigerian leaders seem to comfortably forget this: charity begins at home. -Sierra Leone: As you are reading this, Sierra Leoneans are forever grateful to Abacha. In 1994, Brigadier-General Seidu Zubeiru, led a 32-member team made up of members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to Sierra Leone. They were to assist in the training and restructuring of the Sierra Leonean Armed Forces. But in addition to that, they also helped the weakened government fight and ward off rebels. It is quite interesting to know that the same Nigeria cannot cope with home-grown insurgents now. Eventually, in November 1996, three years after he took power, rebels and government officials of Sierra Leone gathered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast to sign a peace accord. But critics have lashed out at Abacha’s intervention in Sierra Leone, where he assisted his friend, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah have a solid grip on power, stating that Abacha did so to protect his own interests, as he owned investments in the country, such as the refinery he owned there. It was also reported that Abacha had bought a residence in Sierra Leone where he planned to escape and live out his retirement should things fail to work out in Nigeria.

-When Kabbah was finally overthrown in May 1997 by members of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Nigerian troops based in Freetown, fought the coup plotters and brought Kabbah back to power as President. That made Abacha the ultimate lord in the subregion, one who could determine the fate of presidents.

Nigerian President Sani Abacha (L) stands with his Sierra Leone ‘s counterpart Ahmad Tejan Kabbah as they listen to the national anthems in Freetown 10 March. Kabbah made a jubilant return home today after more than nine months of exile imposed by a military regime. It also marks the restoration of democracy in Sierra Leone and the elevation of President Sani Abacha whose troops toppled the junta to the status of hero of the day.

The Nigerian Air Force controlled the most important airport in the country, the Lungi International Airport while units of the Nigerian Arrmy were stationed at the most important bases with ships of the Nigerian Navy patrolling the Sierra Leonean waters. He enjoyed wide regional and international support and backing to oust the military government in the country. And oh boy! The Nigerian military performed wonders. Upon disembarking from their ships, rebels booed them but they were to regret their actions once the Abacha boys started action.

At a point, warplanes of the Nigerian Air Force disrupted broadcasts to the nation when they dropped bombs on a TV and radio station close to Freetown. At a point, the strafing of the country was so incessant that some Sierra Leoneans actually protested, stating that Nigeria was planning to turn SL into a colony. RUF fighters accused the Nigerian Air Force of using banned cluster bombs to wipe out villages. Such was the influence and power projected by Abacha. He was so familiar and in tune with affairs in SL that President Kabbah showed his admiration of the Nigerian ruler.

-It must be stated that in March of the same year, Foday Sankoh, leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and an enemy of Kabbah was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for arms possession and held under house arrest at a luxury hotel in Abuja. -But it must be noted that owing to the increasing opposition at home and the outcry against the huge cost, Abacha considered pulling Nigerian troops from the ECOMOG peacekeeping efforts. However, he rescinded as the ECOMOG bestowed upon the national international acclaim and prestige, thus lending to him, some credence, which he badly needed.

CABINET & PRESIDENTIAL STAFF

-PROVISIONAL RULING COUNCIL -Chairman: General SANI ABACHA -Vice Chairman & Chief of General Staff: Lieutenant-General OLADIPO DONALDSON DIYA -Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): General ABDULSALAMI ALHAJI ABUBAKAR -Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS): Major General CHRIS ALLI (November 1993-August 1994), Major General ALWALI KAZIR (August 1994-March 1996) and Lt. Gen. ISHAYA BAMAIYI (March 1996-May 1999). -Chiefs of Naval Staff (CNS): See pictures

Picture shows Abacha’s Chiefs of Naval Staff (Courtesy: Nigerian Navy Official Website)

-Chiefs of Air Staff (CAS): Air Vice Marshal FEMI JOHN FEMI and Air Marshal NSIKAK EDUOK.

Abacha’s Chiefs of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal Femi John Femi, 1993-1996 (from Egbeda, Kogi State) and Air Marshal Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok, 1996-1999 from Mbak, Akwa Ibom State. (Courtesy: Nigerian Air Force Official Website) I represent Nigerian Air Force for life! #ProudlyNAF! #Willing,Able&Ready!

Inspector-General of the Police (IGP): Alhaji IBRAHIM COOMASIE

AIDES, OFFICERS, ADVISERS & ASSISTANTS

-Chief Security Officer (CSO): Major Hamza Al-Mustapha -Presidential Adviser on Legal Matters: PROFESSOR AUWALU YADUDU -Presidential Special Adviser on Political Affairs: SULE HAMMA -National Security Adviser: Assistant Inspector General of Police ALIYU ISMAILA GWARZO (called himself an ‘errand boy’ of Abacha, and is fingered in the disappearance of $2.45 billion from the vaults of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Gwarzo was known to withdraw bales of cash directly from the CBN, for onward delivery to the Presidential Villa in collabo with Mohammed Abacha and a trusted aide of Abacha, Zazzawa Zafara. Some of the funds have been recovered and at a point, Gwarzo volunteered to return $500million after the government recovered $750 million.) -General Staff Officer (Presidency): Major-General LAWRENCE ONOJA -Presidential Special Adviser: WADA NAS -Central Bank Governor: Dr. PAUL AGBAI OGWUMA

MINISTERS

Abacha and his ministers, Anthony Ani and Professor Sam Aluko.

Dan Etete, Abacha’s Minister of Petroleum Resources.

-Communications: MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR RIMI, Major-General PATRICK AZIZA, Major-General TAJUDEEN ADENIYI OLANREWAJU

-Petroleum Resources: Senator DAN LOYA ETETE -Finance: ANTHONY ANI -Foreign Affairs: BABA GANA KINGIBE (1993-1994), TOM IKIMI (appointed 1994, he was there till 1998)

Abacha’s Foreign Minister, Tom Ikimi at the Lungi International Airport, Sierra Leone. Behind them is one of thepresidential jets in the Nigerian Presidential Air Fleet. Photo credits: Chief Tom Ikimi.

-Solid Minerals Minister: Alhaji KALOMA ALI -Information and Culture Minister: Chief IKEOBASI MOKELU -Works & Housing: Alhaji LATEEF JAKANDE, Major General ABDULKARIM ADISA -National Planning: SILAS DANIYAN - Labour & Productivity: Senator UBA AHMED -Education: MOHAMMED T. LIMAN -Justice Minister and Attorney-General: OLU ONAGORUWA, MICHAEL ASHIKODI AGBAMUCHE (September 1994-1997), ABDULLAHI IBRAHIM (1997-May 1999). -Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Lt. Gen. JEREMIAH TIMBUT USENI -Director, Economic Intelligence: PROFESSOR SAM ALUKO -Commerce: Rear Admiral JUBRIL AYINLA -Agriculture: MALLAM ADAMU CIROMA -Transport: CHIEF EBENEZER BABATOPE

There was an incident that happened between Ciroma and Abacha as narrated by Mustapha Shehu: Mallam Adamu Ciroma woke up on the morning of January 1, 1995 and wrote his resignation from the cabinet of General Sani Abacha as Agriculture Minister. He called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation then, Alhaji Aminu Saleh, and submitted the letter for onward transmission to Abacha. That evening, Abacha sent for him.

“Why do you want to resign?” Abacha asked. “I gave you advice on matter of fertilizer, you refused. I am the minister of agriculture, therefore I have no role in this government,” Ciroma replied. “Please wait don’t resign,” Abacha urged him. “I am going to have cabinet reshuffle, I will give you position in some other ministry.” Ciroma stared at the general’s dark goggles and said “it is your right to appoint ministers, and it is my right to resign. If you appoint me to another ministry, I will consider, but now I have given you a letter of resignation.” The general shifted in his seat, but did not give any other indication that he had heard Ciroma. Later, Abacha, says Ciroma, consulted other people and they told him that once he started having problem with Ciroma, he would start having problems with the other political elements in the cabinet. Abacha had appointed Ciroma minister of agriculture on taking over power in 1993. Ciroma then laid out a programme of fertilizer distribution, “to ensure that fertilizers were sold to the ordinary farmers at the price the government fixed and at the right time.”

He introduced a policy of open international tender for the purchase of fertilizer and took it to Abacha who studied it and said it was not necessary to buy additional fertilizer as there was enough in the country. Ciroma recalls he told Abacha that as minister of agriculture, “I knew how many tonnes of fertilizers were bought; I knew that there weren’t any available, and that it was necessary to buy additional fertilizers if we are to feed this country.” Abacha, he says, insisted that he did not want to buy fertilizer. This led to the resignation. -Jakande and Aluko have stated that they have no regrets whatsoever working with Abacha. Jakande stated that Abacha never interfered with his works while Aluko said that Abacha achieved a lot more than his numerous enemies are ready to admit citing Abacha’s refusal to get foreign loans and stabilizing the exchange rate. When Obasanjo criticised Aluko for talking out of senility, Aluko fired back and told him to stop ‘feeding on the salad of ignorance.’

FOREIGN POLICY AFFAIRS -Ambassador Emenyi Asuquo (State Chief of Protocol) -Aliyu Dagari (Protocol Officer) -Umar Ahmed (Presidential Liaison Officer)


Get our mobile app so u can get latest newzdelivered straight to your Phone! Download here