[size=18pt]3rd August 1996 - The New York Times
Chioma Ajunwa leaps to Olympic Long Jump Gold medal[/size]

Ajunwa launched into her approach, lifted off and landed in a place she had never considered -- first place -- with a leap of 23 feet 4 1/2 inches. The jump was an African record. And through six rounds of competition at the Olympics, it would not be surpassed as Ajunwa became the first Nigerian to win a gold medal and the first African woman to win an Olympic field event.

Fiona May of Italy won the the silver with a jump of 23-0 1/2. Joyner-Kersee, the 1988 Olympic champion, courageously overcame a hamstring injury, drawing on her fierce resolve on her final jump to vault from sixth to third at 22-11 3/4. She retires now with three gold medals, one silver and two bronzes, along with the reputation as the greatest female athlete in track and field history.

''I never thought I'd come here to get a medal,'' said Ajunwa, a 25-year-old policewoman from Lagos, Nigeria. ''I was very surprised. It takes a lot to come out of nowhere to beat an Olympic champion.''

[size=21pt]^^The only Olympic gold medals in Nigeria's history was won during Abacha's rule.[/size]

[size=18pt]6th August 1996 - The New York Times
Nigeria Men Football team win Olympic Football Gold medal, Gen. Abacha declares a national holiday in their honour[/size]

In Nigeria, meanwhile, a country locked in steep economic decline and harsh military rule, the country's 3-2 soccer victory over Argentina last Saturday, coming after a 4-3 semifinal defeat of the other South American powerhouse, Brazil, was cause for raucous celebration that continued through today, which was declared a national holiday.

Throughout the country of 100 million, revelers have struck up brass bands, emptied case after case of beer, shot fireworks into the sky night after night and poured through the streets in seemingly endless fanfares. Newspapers in Lagos and elsewhere ran banner headlines today saying things like ''Nigeria Rules the World'' and speculating on the potential impact of the victory on the image of country, which has been badly battered under military rule.

Because of widespread human rights violations and suspicions of the country's involvement in international drug trafficking, Nigeria's present isolation is so complete that the United States does not allow direct airline service between the two countries.

Earlier this year, the Commonwealth, an association that links Britain and its former colonies, contemplated expelling Nigeria, one of its largest members, following the execution of one of the country's leading dissidents, the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa. At the same time, FIFA, the international soccer federation, was considering banning Nigeria from future soccer competitions over an allegation of fraud involving players' ages.

Suddenly, however, many Nigerians seem willing to drop their opposition to the widely unpopular head of state, General Sani Abacha, if only momentarily.

[size=18pt]3rd Aug 1996 - Nigeria TODAY
ABACHA SPOKE TO SUPER EAGLES BEFORE THEY BEAT ARGENTINA FOR 1996 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL[/size]

Several members of the Super Eagles confirmed today that they had spoken directly to Nigeria's head of state Gen. Sanni Abacha just before the gold medal encounter between Nigeria and Argentia.

The players said Gen. Abacha had encouraged them to "win this game for Nigeria and for Africa".

"It was motivating to know that he cares," said a striker who prefered to remain anonymous and whose play was critical for Nigeria's victory.

The Nigerian government had declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate the Eagles performance. It also promised cash rewards to any atheletes who wins a gold medal.

The Eagles stand to share 5 million naira (about $62,000) for beating Argentina

Had Abacha not been poisoned, we may have even won the 1998 Football World Cup and probably would have increased our gold medals in the 2000 Olympics.

[size=18pt]12th April 1994 - The NY Times
Super Eagles win African Nations Cup; President Abacha holds receptions for team [/size]

Nigeria sent a strong message on Sunday to Argentina, Greece and Bulgaria, its first-round opponents in the World Cup.

The Nigerians confirmed their superiority in African soccer with a 2-1 triumph over Zambia in the African Nations Cup in Tunisia.

Gen. Sani Abacha, Nigeria's military ruler, held a big reception for the team yesterday when it returned to the country.

Emanuel Amunike, who had been held out of Nigeria's four previous matches in the tournament, scored both goals as Nigeria rallied in a thrilling final.

Nigeria, which will participate in the World Cup finals for the first time, was led by the tournament's top scorer, Rachidi Yekini (five goals).

"We're going to be the surprise package of the World Cup," said Nigeria's coach, Clemens Westerhof of the Netherlands. "We know we have the right kind of quality to do well in the World Cup."

Zambia did magnificently to reach the final. Zambia was the favorite of the Tunisian people because it rebuilt its team after 18 members of its World Cup squad were killed in a plane crash a year ago.

Genbuhari, are you actually saying Abacha's rule was better than Obj's ?

I hope I am reading this quite alright

Iam not sure I actually said that, I am presenting evidence and people should be able to arrive at their own conclusions

GenBuhari: Iam not sure I actually said that, I am presenting evidence and people should be able to arrive at their own conclusions

LOL I for fear, It is good though but reading this thread go take days o !

I would look more into you evidence later. But seriously you try

Thank you

if you voted in the poll saying you hae evidence Abacha is a looter, feel free to present the evidence

^

It maybe easier somewhere in downtown Damaturu to gather and program a bunch of almjiris but not here OP.

^^Your post says a great deal about you

[size=18pt]29th November 1996 - The New York Times
Abacha announces launch of Vision 2010 - to raise living standards of Nigerians [/size]

LAGOS, Nigeria, Nov. 28— In the face of widespread skepticism from Nigeria's domestic opposition, Nigeria's military leader, Gen. Sani Abacha, is pushing ahead with an effort to spur economic change and enhance his political image.

This week, the Nigerian Government announced formation of a 170-member committee set up to raise the living standards of Nigeria's 100 million people. The program, known as Vision 2010, was first announced at a conference in September in the capital, Abuja.

Opposition groups immediately criticized the makeup of the panel, which consists almost entirely of establishment figures. The chairman is Ernest Shonekan, head of the short-lived interim Government of 1993 that gave way to the current military rulers. Its members include prominent politicians, traditional rulers and business executives, all culled from among Nigeria's elite.

''We intend to capture the imagination of our people,'' General Abacha said this week.

Nigeria is among the world's top 10 oil-producing nations, pumping 2 million barrels a day, yet its roads and infrastructure are decaying. Poverty is widespread, with some public-sector employees earning as little as $450 a year. Infant mortality is estimated at 75 deaths per thousand births, nearly 10 times the rate in the United States.

While corruption has kept a rich elite comfortable, the middle classes and the poor have suffered a significant drop in living standards over the last decade. A recent study by Transparency International, a group devoted to fighting business corruption, rated Nigeria as the world's most corrupt country, followed by Pakistan, Kenya, Bangladesh and China.

Many ordinary Nigerians blame their country's economic troubles on years of rule by the military. Vision 2010, officials have said, is intended to convince Nigerians that General Abacha's Government is sensitive to the plight of common people.

But not every one is convinced. Some of the sharpest criticism has come from Nigeria's southern newspapers, many of which are critical of the current military Government, which for the last two years has imprisoned the presumed winner of the 1993 elections, Chief Mashood Abiola.

They have portrayed Vision 2010 as a carefully shaped campaign to burnish General Abacha's image, and say the date suggests the military intends to hold on to power at least until 2010.

''2010 Abacha's New Hand-Over Date?'' read the front-page headline of the Tempo newspaper the week the program was begun. One opposition group, the Campaign for Democracy, asserted that Vision 2010 is intended to distract from Nigeria's real problems.

''While the trade-union movement, the intellectual and students' movements, the political and business communities in Nigeria today have been generally pummeled into frustration and general irrelevance, the regime is making claim to implement a vision for the next one and a half decades,'' said Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, one of the leaders of the Campaign for Democracy. ''The Vision is for whom and with whom?''

In contrast to his predecessor, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, General Abacha is a retiring figure who is not often seen in public. A different tone was set in last month's Independence Day celebrations. Instead of the traditional military processions past the country's leader, hundreds of young children stood in rows, North Korean style, singing General Abacha's praises. The general stood facing a huge picture of his face in a stadium covered with slogans proclaiming themes of nationalism, patriotism and stability.

^Corruption was under control during Abacha's rule, Transparency International's claim is a lie because Transparency International itself is corrupt, because one of its founding members is Obasanjo, one of the enemies of Abacha and the Nigerian people, and one of most corrupt people in the history of the world.

GenBuhari: ^Corruption was under control during Abacha's rule, Transparency International's claim is a lie because Transparency International itself is corrupt, because one of its founding members is Obasanjo, one of the enemies of Abacha and the Nigerian people, and one of most corrupt people in the history of the world.

First your pseudo-name is after a past military dictator, second you are here openly gorging on another's dead shrivelled prik.
By you by any chance have a thing for diktators!

[size=18pt]19th January 1997 - The New York Time
U.S accused of sponsoring bombings aimed at distablising Abacha's government[/size]

. .LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 18— Nigeria's relations with the United States have deteriorated sharply since a series of unexplained bomb attacks that senior Nigerian officials have said were backed by Western nations.

The bombings, which have taken place in the country's commercial capital, Lagos, have been aimed at military personnel and property. In the most recent, on Tuesday, an explosion destroyed a bus outside an army barracks, killing 2 and injuring 27 of its passengers, who were soldiers.

Nigeria's military Government sees itself as the target of the bombing campaign, for which no one has claimed responsibility. Government leaders have blamed the country's largest opposition group, the National Democratic Coalition, or Nadeco, many of whose members live in the United States.

Nadeco, whose leadership is largely under arrest, has denied any connection with the bombings.

For two years, the United States has led international efforts to isolate the Government of Gen. Sani Abacha, accusing it of severe, widespread human rights violations in Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country.

The United States, the European Union and the Commonwealth all imposed limited sanctions on Nigeria in November 1995 after the execution of nine human rights advocates, including the playwright Ken Saro Wiwa.

Since the bombing wave began in late November, Nigerian officials have accused Washington, along with Canada and South Africa, of supporting groups that they say seek the violent overthrow of General Abacha's Government.

''Because we are not yielding to their pressure,'' said Information Minister Walter Ofonogoro, ''Western nations are now going about sponsoring people to plant bombs to cause trouble and destabilize our country.''

American diplomats in Nigeria have denied any link to the bombings, which the United States Embassy has denounced. But Nigerian officials have repeatedly raised questions about a State Department warning last month to Americans traveling in Nigeria. Issued after the first two attacks, the statement cautioned that there might be more.

Last month, Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, summoned the United States Ambassador, Walter C. Carrington, to a meeting in the capital, Abuja. The envoy was told that the State Department travel warning had been issued to cause disruption.

Mr. Ikimi also said American citizens were being smuggled into Nigeria from Benin in a possible attempt to destabilize the country.

Mr. Carrington, who has been a vocal critic of Nigeria's human rights record, has a history of testy exchanges with the Government. The relationship soured further last week when a newspaper sponsored by the Nigerian Government, The New Nigerian, ran a full-page ''announcement'' from a previously unknown group, the National Association for the Advancement of Nigeria, attacking the envoy.

''Ambassador Carrington is a typical example of the haughty, boot-licking, white-minded but black-bodied scallywags that conscientious peoples all over the world should laugh at,'' the announcement read. Mr. Carrington is black.

The State Department called in Nigeria's Ambassador to the United States, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, to express Washington's displeasure with the attack. But officials said Mr. Adamu denied Government involvement in the newspaper announcement.

[size=18pt]

The Economist (U.S. Business publication) seemed to predict Abacha’s demise just days before his mysterious death :

28th May 1998 - The Economist
Abacha's Wobbley Throne [/size]

Nigeria’s military ruler hopes to turn himself into a civilian president without an election. Powerful voices are telling him not to

WHEN military governments resort to prayer, you know they are in trouble. Last week, General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s ruler, ordered the country’s 36 state administrators (all military men) to send 50-strong contingents of Christians and Muslims to a four-day national prayer session in the capital, Abuja, to pray for national unity. Christians boycotted the “prayers by decree”. But for a couple of days Abuja’s main mosque, where free food was distributed, was packed.

A few months ago most Nigerians were gloomily reconciled to the much-heralded four-year transition from military to civilian government turning out to be General Abacha’s shedding of a uniform and donning of a suit. Plainly, he was going to “succeed himself”. Nothing seemed to stand in his way: all the five legal political parties had adopted him as their presidential candidate, a coup attempted by his deputy had been nipped in the bud, the pope had come to visit without causing any discomfort, more human-rights activists had been arrested and Nigerian television was showing film of convincingly large pro-Abacha rallies. There was no need for an election at all.

Then something stirred. It began in March with a letter from 18 influential northerners, the traditional source of political power in Nigeria, urging General Abacha not to assume the presidency unchallenged. By May the trickle of protest had become a steady flow as more and more eminent Nigerians, including southerners, sent the same message in more or less veiled language. The protesters included two former military rulers—Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari—and Ernest Shonekan, the civilian but unelected ruler who was overthrown by General Abacha but who has served him faithfully ever since. This week, 200 academics from northern universities also signed a letter calling on the soldiers to hand over to a democratically elected government.

Less eminent Nigerians are losing patience with the perennial fuel shortage. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest oil producers, with enough refining capacity for twice its domestic needs. But the refineries have been allowed to run down, causing day-long queues at petrol stations. Public anger is inflamed by the knowledge that the general’s cronies make millions from importing fuel at emergency prices.

Then there is the CNN factor. Nigerians have been packing bars to watch the fall of Indonesia’s President Suharto in the face of mass demonstrations. They themselves have not yet shown that sort of solidarity. But on May 1st security forces shot several demonstrators in Ibadan and a series of protests have been called by the opposition for the days leading to June 12th, the anniversary of the 1993 election that was annulled by General Abacha. There is a growing feeling that, unless the general is stopped now, he will crown himself ruler for five years—and get away with it.

Outside Nigeria, it is also decision time. When all five parties declared General Abacha to be their candidate, the European Union declared the transition to civilian rule to be “a failure”. Not going quite so far, America says only that it is failing. But neither Europe nor America knows what to do next. Nigeria’s oil wealth makes its rulers invulnerable to almost any sanctions except an oil embargo.

General Abacha is a stubborn man, caring little for domestic or international opinion. Yet, though he will not pay heed to criticism, his army officers may be more open to the growing sounds of dissent. Once a united force, the army is now riven with factions that mistrust each other. At best, some soldiers might decide to replace General Abacha with an interim government that would try to pull the country together, draw up a new constitution and hold elections. Alternatively, there might be a coup by another officer ready to hand out jobs to his friends, announce a drawn-out transition programme and start filling his own pockets. Even worse, the army might split along ethnic lines, plunging the country into civil war—and catastrophe on a vast scale for Nigeria’s 100m people and the 60m or so neighbours at risk from Nigerian instability.

This is slowly dawning on the world’s foreign ministries. But the space under the question “What to do?” remains blank. One suggestion is that sanctions might be tightened and an attempt made to freeze some of the personal assets of the general and his men. Sticks, however, have not worked so far. So a carrot might be offered to Nigerian reformers in the shape of a donors’ conference to pledge highly conditional assistance. Potential donors could draw up a plan that would be implemented only when Nigeria became democratic. Specific pledges might be linked to equally specific moves towards democracy, accountability and respect for human rights. This would at least give the democrats something to fight for—and further undermine the credibility of the military men.

The most important visible factor in the short run is another Nigerian religion: football. Nigerian sporting success was rated in a recent opinion poll as of greater importance than the country’s political future. If Nigeria’s team wins, or just does well in the World Cup, the general’s political problems could be buried in the euphoria. By contrast, defeat will be blamed on him. If prayer is called for, some Nigerian democrats are silently praying for defeat.

Hmmm... I like dis. Every story has more dan 1 side 2 it.

I also agree dat Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida is ten times worse dan Sani Abacha.

No wonder Ojukwu never spoke ill of Abacha.

Nigeria is a British lie. But thank God d truth cannot stay buried foreva.

*wavin BIAFRAN flag*

Thank you.

Below is culled from post from thoth on another thread:

I have well documented reports of the role my country played in discrediting Abacha and also the roles two other European nations Switzerland and Leichtenstein(suprised ?) played as well. It is no secret in the intel community what promises was made to Abdusalami Abubakar to hand over to civilians.

It is also well documented how the CIA was visiting and arranging schemes with Obasanjo while he was at Andy Uba's residence in the USA during Abachas regime. At that everyone already knows that Obasanjo would be the next puppet president of Nigeria that MTN, exxon,Haliburton,IMF and others were meeting him and signing agreements with him even before he was made president. And the international intel comunity also knew that the character of Abacha would not exit without a fight so we knew whatever plan that was hatched for him must result in his death.

I would rather ask you these very simple questions:

[size=13pt]If Abacha has any substantial savings in a foreign bank why didn't the usa after leveling hundreds of sanctions on Nigeria and another thousand ban on Abacha did not freeze the money and all his assets as was done to other presidents ?
How come Abacha with all the sanctions against Nigeria and at $9 pb of crude and 1.6 million barrels per day crude production and without borrowing a cent from any bank was able to keep the dollar at 21 naira per dollar, accomplish vast social works and national projects and generally outperform Obasanjo and others whom were enjoying no sanctions, $75 per barrel, 2.5 million barrels daily crude output, borrowed billions of dollars from foreign banks ?

Howcome Nigeria was respected as a powerful figure in Africa and has the means to either persuade or coerce other african nations to Nigerias interest and suddenly lost that image after the death of Abacha ? Was it that keeping them in line was against european exploits ?

How quickly and easy was it for Cameroun to get the Bakassi penisula just after Abacha died ?

I am sorry all i can give you are questions not documents or audios, Nigerians are so simple minded that you have to force them to think for themselves.

Abacha may have done some favors but he has nothing in those banks.[/size]

God bless Nigeria !

[size=28pt]God bless Abacha[/size]

GenBuhari: Remember these news story?:

[size=18pt]26 September, 2002, BBC News
Deal on Abacha's millions 'collapses'[/size]

Reports from Switzerland say a deal on the return to Nigeria of millions of dollars deposited in Swiss banks by the late Nigerian military ruler, General Sani Abacha, has collapsed.

Swiss Justice Ministry officials are quoted as saying the deal has fallen through because General Abacha's son, Mohammed, has not signed vital legal papers releasing the money.
The extraordinary out-of-court agreement between Nigeria and General Abacha's bereaved family was reached in May.

It was agreed the general's family could keep $100 million provided that his son signed an agreement enabling foreign banks in Switzerland and elsewhere to return to Nigeria a further $1 billion of allegedly looted money.

Embarrassment

The deal was apparently linked to the release from prison this week of Mohammed Abacha, ending his three-year period behind bars on charges of embezzlement.

Suspicions that the deal might be going awry arose on Wednesday when jubilant Mohammed was quoted as saying that - despite his release - he had made no commitment to sign anything.

Now the increasingly embarrassed Swiss authorities have acknowledged that they have received no signed papers, and therefore are in no position to hand over any of the Abacha family fortune to Nigeria.

Throughout this long affair, Nigerian President Obasanjo has faced a no-win situation.

He was condemned by one side for negotiating any deal with the Abachas.

At the same time, Mr Abacha's supporters slammed the president for detaining the general's son for so long on what they say are spurious charges

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2282366.stm
[size=18pt]It now all makes sense.

Obasanjo had to release Mohammed Abacha because of pressure from powerful traditional leaders and Emirs in Kano, who had been lobbied by Abacha's widow Miryam Abacha.


It has now clear to me that there was now deal with Abacha family, because they had no loot in foreign accounts.

Obasanjo knew that after he released Mohamed, he had to also drop  the fake legal cases in foreign  countries as he does want Mohammed Abacha, to get a chance to expose their lies in open court.

Which is why Obasanjo never   resumed  the  prosecution after he claimed  Mohammed  Abacha had reneged  on the deal
[/size]

Nigeria lost our last hope with the death (poisoning) of Abacha

RIP to our great leader

Those voting in the poll that they have evidence Abacha is a looter, have not been able thus far to present any evidence other than the news reports briefed by the disonest Obj, that Abacha had foreign bank accounts.

GenBuhari: if you voted in the poll saying you hae evidence Abacha is a looter, feel free to present the evidence

God bless Abacha

[size=18pt]Jeremiah Useni Interview :he says Abacha was honest and pariotic[/size]

You come from one of the most peaceful states in the country, described by many as a tourism haven. Plateau has suddenly become a boiling point. What is happening?

Yes, Plateau is a peaceful state, even tomorrow, and it is good for the cooling of oneself due to the favourable weather. Unfortunately, along the line, we may have offended God and that it why issues that can be amicably resolved resulted into chaos, which led to bloodshed and destruction of property. We could remember that there was a crisis between the Lantang and Wase people, but thank God, we were able to settle that.

In order to avoid the crisis that earlier happened, we established a strong Plateau Elders’ Forum where we came up with far reaching resolutions on the way forward. But, unfortunately, only five percent of the resolutions were implemented leaving behind up to 95 percent unimplemented. And, this is why we are still experiencing social and religious crisis in Plateau state.

The recent crisis happened during the local government elections when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wanted to win everywhere, whether they are accepted or not. And people used that to destroy mosques and churches. That is purely political, but some people turned it into religious. However, despite all this, we are still working hard to ensure that peace returns to Plateau. God made all of us and therefore, nobody should feel superior to another. And, I like to say here that we need the support of the people, too, because it is a two-way traffic. That is to say, the government and the public have to work together as a team.


You made mention of a peace conference which you were a member. Which government did you summit the resolutions to?


That was done under the retired General Chris Alli (when he served as sole administrator of the state during the emergency rule). All of us came together and looked at all the recommendations made by various committees earlier and updated them and that was why they were so many. But, of course, General Chris did not stay long. We therefore, did the same during the second coming of former governor Joshua Dariye. He too, didn’t stay long as he was forcibly impeached. And, I emphasised this because that was not impeachment. He was single-handedly removed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo because he didn’t support third term, not that he committed any offence that warranted impeachment.

So, Michael Botmang came in, though he was the deputy governor and he, too, didn’t stay long. In fact, he was busy campaigning for the Jonah Jang to be governor. When Jang came in, again, whether deliberately or not deliberately, he suddenly got himself in this latest crisis I wouldn’t know, but much of the recommendations are still not implemented.


Abacha died in controversial circumstances. As one of the closest persons to him, can you relate his last moments?


As you know, a day before he died, we had a visiting President Yasser Arafat of Palestine and we saw him off. That same day, at about 6pm, when we were driving inside the city, he told me that he was not feeling fine. So, at around 7pm, he dropped me off and I told him to go and have a rest. In fact, I went back and I was doing some administrative work, when I was called upon that I was needed at the Presidential Lodge.

But to hear the news that he was dead, I was dumbfounded because you will remember that when he died there were lots of speculations. Some even said that I should be probed, which was very unfortunate. So, when I got to the Presidential Lodge, I met officers, such as the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Comassie, Abdulsalam Abubakar and others. They told me that Abacha was dead. So, I was really dumbfounded and felt very sad.


But when he died, there was rumour that some Indian girls visited him prior to his death and there was a suspicion that they may have poisoned him. What really happened?


I have been saying that this rumour isn’t true. When he died, some people insisted that an autopsy test must be conducted. He must be taken to Germany and America for the test. In my own view, he died a natural death and the reports are there. But, of course, some people just wanted to give the man a bad name; hence they were insinuating that he was a womanizer and the rest of it. But the records are there. And, who would have heard such a thing should it be a reality.


Talking about Generals, you were the most senior military officer after Oladipo Diya, who was involved in that coup saga. Why didn’t you succeed Abacha?


Even if Diya was not involved, I am still the senior. In military service, there are two types of seniority. That is seniority by protocol and seniority by military. So, if you talk of protocol, then he was senior, but by rank I am the senior. And I still remain the senior.


It was said that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State summoned all the Generals when the issue of succession came up. What really happened?



I am not aware that he summoned the Generals because I wasnot part of those he summoned. He couldn’t have summoned me. You see, when the issue came up, the remains of General Abacha was still lying before us and so there was an argument that why can’t we go and bury him before any issue of succession came up. Now, when the discussion finally rose, there was a division of interest as some officers were of the view that military seniority should be considered while others were saying that protocol should be considered. And, if military seniority was adopted, it could have been me, but since protocol seniority was adopted then, it was Abdulsalam because he was the Chief of Defence Staff, who was next to the Head of State. So that was what happened.


How did you get the news of Abacha’s death because some people are saying that it was Al-Mustapha that broke the news to all of you after he summoned you all to the Presidential Lodge?


Like I said earlier, I was attending to some administrative matters and my phone rang and I was told that I was wanted at the Presidential Lodge. And when I went there, I was told that the Head of State was dead.


Some people still hold the view that the late Abacha was a dictator. Having worked with him closely, what is your own perception of this?


Those who said that he was a dictator do not know what they are saying. All this were the sayings of those people who felt that under Abacha’s regime they could not do what they wanted. Look at what is happening to banks today. Abacha saw it and if you remember the Failed Bank Tribunal, many bank chief executive officers and managing directors ran away from this country. People don’t know and this was over 10 years ago. And over these years Abacha still remains the topic of discussions.

And, if Abacha had remained in the system, we wouldn’t be buying a dollar for N158. If Abacha were still alive, we wouldn’t have been borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But IMF would have been borrowing from us by now. During Abacha regime, we never borrowed even a penny from anybody. In fact, all the international financial institutions closed down their offices in Nigeria because they had nothing doing. The West does not want us to progress because we were on the verge of growing to the extent that we would be helping other countries.

So, this so- called dictatorship is nothing but propaganda against him and his regime. They were using the Abacha government to hide their own misdeeds under the carpet. Look at what is happening in our democracy now were people’s votes don’t count. If they said, the first time in 1999, was due to the fact that it was organised by the military, then what about the happenings in 2003 and 2007 that turned out to be the worst. I think, there is no other forms of dictatorship worst than this kind of dictatorship where people are denied their rights to vote their leaders.

During the Abacha regime, no governor or minister was actually cut with up to N1billion, but today they are spraying billions of Naira, buying houses everywhere and cars. Abacha ordered that we should be using Peugeot and even himself was using the same Peugeot. But today we are seeing just local government chairmen driving expensive cars running into tens of millions of naira. When Abacha was alive, we deliberated and argued seriously on every matter that needed a decision in the council before arriving at the final decision. So, I know very well and without any bias that the late Abacha is better than all those that are branding him as a dictator.


10 years after Abacha’s death, the Federal Government is still talking about Abacha’s loot.


Well, those who said that there is Abacha loot should explain.


But the government alleged that it has retrieved up to $500 million from the Swiss Bank?


But the National Assembly said that it has not seen the money and how it was spent is not known to them because it was never appropriated.


After your retirement and enthronement of Obasanjo, you were fingered as the person with the highest number of property in Abuja. How correct is this?


They were more than because people said many things about me. They said I have suffered from an unknown disease. That I have over 100 plots and houses in Abuja and that I had $100 million. They even said that they had arrested a trailer full of money belonging to me and at that time the highest denomination was N20, which is madness because there is no bank I could have taken the money to. These were all said as blackmail, but I never get worried because I am sure they would never succeed. Obasanjo did what he did because Abacha was not there for him to blackmail and the next person to him was me and that was why he engaged in all that he did.


But they said you have property more than anybody in Abuja?


Then, where are the properties? Go to my house, you will find only a simple building. But there are ministers during Obasanjo who have built houses both in Abuja and their home towns worth billion of Naira. The thing is that when you decide to help people, then someone somewhere, would begin to level you as the wealthiest person on earth, which is not true.


One of the issues that attracted criticisms to the regime of the late Abacha was his alleged transmutation to a civilian president. And you, being his closest associate were also accused of trying to transform into the Mayor of Abuja.


This is very interesting. When you look from Day One when FCT was created, it was suggested that it should be governed by a mayor. Somehow, the past governments, whether military or civilian, were not able to establish the office of the mayor. They prefer to make it a ministry so that they can control the money that goes there. But if you are a mayor, then you are independent. That is why even the budget of the FCT might be approved by the Head of State. We have council chairmen, but because there were no mayor to swear in, they are sworn in by the National Assembly.

So, it has been like that very unfortunately. And, that is why I made sure that we follow what the law establishing the office has said. As at that time, there was only one first class chief in the whole territory and that was in Abaji. All his colleagues were third class chiefs because they were part of Kwara State before Kogi was carved out of it. I made a proposal which sought to address the matter, where we now have different classes of chiefs in the FCT which was eventually approved by the late Abacha. So, that was the foresight we had and that was why we wanted to have a mayoral position for the FCT so that it can be fully independent.


What is your relationship with Macosa dance?


What they don’t know is that if I am attached so much to Macosa dance as they said, then what time did I have to go to work. When I was the FCT minister, I used to go to my office between 6-7am. Since I know people come to office by 8am, I always wait until 8am before I begin to call my directors. Anytime a file is brought to me I check the date it left the permanent secretary’s office. And if the file left his office seven days after it went in, I asked him why. So, people did not think about time I have to do all this, if they only think that I always socialize with all my time. But yes, I enjoy Macosa dance because they say that work, work without play makes Jack a dull boy.


But do you like the name Jerry-boy?


Yes, I like it because it makes me feel much younger. When you said Jerry-boy, I begin to wonder whether Jeremiah is still in his 30s.


Now that you are in politics, do you consider going for an elective position?


No, I don’t have such consideration yet. But, of course, I cannot overrule it. That is not impossible. But I did not consider such yet.



How do you feel coming from an area with the highest number of Generals? And why can’t these Generals call the politicians to order over the crisis bedevilling Plateau?


There are two things involved. One, we are not selfish and we have to serve the people. Secondly, it defends on their capacity to accept what we offer them for peace. I think, whoever you find doing one thing or the other, is only protecting an interest. So, I believe we are doing our best in that direction and we would continue.

On the second part of the question, yes, we are fighters and we are religious people and we like to impart knowledge into the people. In my area, we get soldiers, farmers and teachers. Those are the main things we occupied. Till today, we have not had a Commissioner of Police because in Lantang, we believe that police is meant for women and not a job for a man. Check the records we haven’t even gotten an Assistant Commissioner.

We have soldiers and farmers too, because you have to defend your farm. And teachers too, yes because in our religion, we believe that if you are a teacher you are already on your way to heaven. So people said we have large number of Generals but we are never Head of State. When I was governor of the old Bendel state, people will tell you what I did and that is why 20 years later they called me and gave a chieftaincy title.


Do you have any regret in life?


As a Christian, I shouldn’t say I have any regret. But as a human being, I will say yes, I regret the death of my wife. However, I am not asking God why. When I joined the military as a boy-soldier at the age of 14, I never thought that I will retire from the service as a three- star general. I never knew that I will survive all this wars and coups. And I retired honourably because nobody mentioned my name for retirement. I am still eating and I have an office, whether good or bad. And I go wherever I want and I am not begging. So I thank my God.

http://sundaytrust.com.ng/?option=com_content&view=article&id=1063&catid=58&Itemid=125

Guy stop deluding urseelf here, Abacha was never honest and u can't change that perception. The only thing that worked for regime was reduced stealing which was as a result of the fear pple had for him.
I see u praise and defent the same abacha that banned our eagles from CAN shit

^
I am educating people on this thread and in the process learning myself.

You are free to continue to wallow in ignorance.

"Those who said that he was a
dictator do not know what they
are saying. All this were the
sayings of those people who
felt that under Abacha’s regime
they could not do what they
wanted. Look at what is
happening to banks today.
Abacha saw it and if you
remember the Failed Bank
Tribunal, many bank chief
executive officers and
managing directors ran away
from this country. People don’t
know and this was over 10
years ago. And over these years
Abacha still remains the topic of
discussions.
And, if Abacha had remained in
the system, we wouldn’t be
buying a dollar for N158. If
Abacha were still alive, we
wouldn’t have been borrowing
from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF). But IMF
would have been borrowing
from us by now. During Abacha
regime, we never borrowed
even a penny from anybody. In
fact, all the international
financial institutions closed
down their offices in Nigeria
because they had nothing
doing. The West does not want
us to progress because we
were on the verge of growing
to the extent that we would be
helping other countries.
So, this so- called dictatorship is
nothing but propaganda
against him and his regime.
They were using the Abacha
government to hide their own
misdeeds under the carpet.
Look at what is happening in
our democracy now were
people’s votes don’t count. If
they said, the first time in 1999,
was due to the fact that it was
organised by the military, then
what about the happenings in
2003 and 2007 that turned out
to be the worst. I think, there is
no other forms of dictatorship
worst than this kind of
dictatorship where people are
denied their rights to vote their
leaders.
During the Abacha regime, no
governor or minister was
actually cut with up to
N1billion, but today they are
spraying billions of Naira,
buying houses everywhere and
cars. Abacha ordered that we
should be using Peugeot and
even himself was using the
same Peugeot. But today we
are seeing just local
government chairmen driving
expensive cars running into
tens of millions of naira. When
Abacha was alive, we
deliberated and argued
seriously on every matter that
needed a decision in the council
before arriving at the final
decision. So, I know very well
and without any bias that the
late Abacha is better than all
those that are branding him as
a dictator." - Useni.

I read this part over and over and i always wonder how this is not evident to nigerians. It is really sad.

^ thanks toth

And this part:

"10 years after Abacha’s death, the Federal Government is still talking about Abacha’s loot.


Well, those who said that there is Abacha loot should explain.


But the government alleged that it has retrieved up to $500 million from the Swiss Bank?


But the National Assembly said that it has not seen the money and how it was spent is not known to them because it was never appropriated."