Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune : The Abacha and Obasanjo Years

In the cataclysmic decade that is the focus of this book, Nigeria was subject to several near-death experiences. These began when the country nearly tore itself apart after the northern-led military government annulled the results of a 1993 presidential election won by the southerner Moshood Abiola, and ended with former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo being the unlikely conduit of democracy. This mini-history of a nation's life also reflects on three mesmerizing protagonists who personified that era. First up is Abiola: the multi-billionaire businessman who had his election victory voided by the generals who made him rich, and who was later assassinated. General Sani Abacha was the mysterious, reclusive ruler under whose watch Abiola was arrested and pro-democracy activists (including Abiola's wife) were murdered. He also oversaw a terrifying Orwellian state security operation. Although Abacha is today reviled as a tyrant, the author eschews selective amnesia, reminding Nigerians that they goaded him into seizing power. The third protagonist is Obasanjo, who emerged from prison to return to power as an elected civilian leader. The penumbra of military rule still looms over Nigeria nearly twenty years after the soldiers departed, and key personalities featured in this book remain in government, including the current president. In the cataclysmic decade that is the focus of this book, Nigeria was subject to several near-death experiences. These began when the country nearly tore itself apart after the northern-led military government annulled the results of a 1993 presidential election won by the southerner Moshood Abiola, and ended with former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo being the unlikely conduit of democracy. This mini-history of a nation2019s life also reflects on three mesmerising protagonists who personified that era. First up is Abiola: the multi-billionaire businessman who had his election victory voided by the generals who made him rich, and who was later assassinated. General Sani Abacha was the mysterious, reclusive ruler under whose watch Abiola was arrested and pro-democracy activists (including Abiola2019s wife) were murdered. He also oversaw a terrifying Orwellian state security operation. Although Abacha is today reviled as a tyrant, the author eschews selective amnesia, reminding Nigerians that they goaded him into seizing power. The third protagonist is Obasanjo, who emerged from prison to return to power as an elected civilian leader. The penumbra of military rule still looms over Nigeria nearly twenty years after the soldiers departed, and key personalities featured in this book remain in government, including the current president." From book cover.? Contents Dedication Acronyms Preface List of Illustrations 1 Children of Oduduwa 2 Stepping Aside 3 82 Days 4 The Khalifa 5 He Said She Said 6 Confrontation 7 Enough Is Enough 8 The ‘Phantom Coup’ 9 The Ogoni Thirteen 10 Murder Inc. 11 the Weeping Generals 12 Five Leprous Fingers 13 A Coup from Heaven 14 Divine Intervention 15 Nigeria Inc. 16 End of the Road 17 Power Shift 18 Uncle Sege 19 People of the Book 20 Back to the Future Appendix 1 Timeline of Key Events, 1993 to 2003 Appendix 2 Nigeria’s Last Military Government Appendix 3 Coup Sentences: 1995 and 1997 Appendix 4 Military Officers Retired by President Obasanjo in 1999 Notes Bibliography Index