Peter Obi has sparked controversy by claiming that the late Gen Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, was more democratic than some individuals who once positioned themselves as defenders of democracy, particularly members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain made the assertion in a post on his X (Twitter) account, following recent court rulings and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) actions regarding leadership disputes within the party.
“Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame,” Obi wrote. “It is ironic that those who claimed to fight for democracy and human rights during General Sani Abacha’s era now appear worse than the man they opposed.
“Today, General Sani Abacha, once seen as a symbol of oppression, will be remembered as seemingly more democratic and respectful of human rights than the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days. Power indeed reveals character.”
His remarks come after INEC removed the names of Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from its portal as national chairman and national secretary of the ADC, respectively. The commission also declared it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who had approached the courts seeking to be recognised as the party’s national chairman.
