Obi says Sani Abacha “more democratic” than NADECO activists who fought military rule

By Samuel Ogunsona

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has praised the late military dictator General Sani Abacha as more democratic than members of the National Democratic Coalition,(NADECO) who fought for against military tyranny.

NADECO was the coalition of progressives forces that stood against military dictatorship.

Many of them were killed by the agents of the dictator. Those killed among others were Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, Rear Admirals Omotunde Omotehinwa Admiral Babatunde Elegbede and more that 30 innocent people killed on July 11,1995 during anti military rally in Lagos.

Obi’s remarks, made in a post on his X (Twitter) handle, have raised widespread debate and raised eyebrows among Nigerians.

According to Obi, the so-called champions of democracy and human rights, who claimed to have fought against Abacha’s regime, have turned out to be worse than the man they opposed.

“Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame. What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights, who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha, now find themselves worse than the man they opposed,” Obi tweeted.

The former governor of Anambra State went on to say that Abacha, who was head of state from 1993 to 1998, would be remembered as more democratic and respectful of human rights than some of the NADECO activists.

“Today, General Sani Abacha, once presumed face of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character,” he added.

Obi’s comments come amid a tumultuous period for his party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is embroiled in a leadership tussle. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will no longer recognize the current leadership of the party, citing court decisions and internal conflicts.

The development has led to heightened tensions, with security personnel deployed around the INEC headquarters in Abuja to prevent clashes between rival factions. Obi’s remarks are seen as a bold statement in support of Abacha, who is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most repressive leaders.