Former Nigerian governor reveals how he transited from Abacha’s ally to prisoner

• Former Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido, has offered a uncommon relationship of his narration with the precocious Head of State, General Sani Abacha, successful his autobiography, Being True To Myself
• Lamido, past a House of Representatives member, traced his relation with Abacha backmost to the aboriginal 1980s erstwhile they often crossed paths astatine the 1004 Legislative Quarters successful Lagos
• Lamido explained that helium initially supported Abacha’s modulation aft the wide promised to manus implicit powerfulness to civilians, however, the reverse was the case

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has implicit 2 years of acquisition covering governmental parties and movements.

The erstwhile politician of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, has recounted his melodramatic travel from being a adjacent state of the precocious General Sani Abacha to becoming 1 of his governmental detainees.

Ex-Jigawa authorities politician Sule Lamido speaks astir his autumn retired with precocious General Sani Abacha. Photo credit: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI, ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

The story, elaborate successful Chapter 8 of his precocious launched autobiography “Being True To Myself,” was made nationalist connected May 13, 2025.

In the section titled “The Abacha Years,” Lamido described his aboriginal acquaintance with Abacha, dating backmost to 1980 during Nigeria’s Second Republic.

At the time, Lamido was a subordinate of the House of Representatives, and Abacha, a subject officer, often visited a communal friend, Sarki Adamu, astatine the 1004 Legislative Quarters successful Lagos.

“Our narration was affable and filled with light-hearted banter,” Lamido wrote.

Sule Lamido reveals however opposing Abacha’s hidden docket landed him successful detention successful recently released memoir. Photo credit: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Continuing, helium recalled jokingly telling Abacha helium looked destined to pb a coup — a remark Abacha brushed off, insisting helium had nary involvement successful politics.

Years later, aft Abacha seized power, Lamido was nominated arsenic a national authorities delegate to the National Constitutional Conference.

Lamido, who was past successful Saudi Arabia, returned to Nigeria and sought clarity connected the duty straight from the Head of State.

According to him, Abacha assured:

“I mean to manus implicit power. Go determination and springiness america a bully nationalist conference, a workable one, truthful that I tin manus implicit to civilians and happily retire.”

Initially hopeful, Lamido soon became skeptical of Abacha’s existent intentions. Amid rising hostility and mistrust astatine the conference—especially from confederate delegates inactive reeling from the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election—Lamido confronted Abacha again to reaffirm his committedness to civilian rule.

Lamido revealed that arsenic the league progressed, assorted governmental groups were formed.

However, portion Abacha’s allies successfully registered their parties, including the UNCP, CNC, DPN, GDM, and NCPN, Lamido and others were denied registration.

Feeling sidelined, they decided to opt retired of the modulation programme and notified the authorities successful writing.

Lamido wrote:

“I told him plainly, if helium changed his caput astir handing over, I would not enactment him. In fact, I would reason him. “He laughed, and we parted connected that note—but it seemed that was erstwhile the rift began.”“On the nighttime of our meeting, I was arrested on with Abubakar Rimi. Unknown to us, the State Security Service had been trailing us. As soon arsenic I got location astir 10:30 pm, they picked maine up.”

Despite the ordeal, Lamido’s relationship offers a uncommon glimpse into the interior workings of Abacha’s authorities and the courageousness it took to reason a almighty subject authorities from wrong its ain circle.

Read much astir Abacha, Lamido here:

• Abacha’s household releases connection implicit Babangida’s assertion astir June 12 annulment
• Babangida admits MKO Abiola won 1993 election

June 12: “Why I told IBB to his look to resign,” Lamido speaks

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Sule Lamido has narrated his bold confrontation with erstwhile caput of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), successful his autobiography, Being True to Myself, launched connected May 13.

The Former Jigawa authorities politician disclosed that helium straight told Babangida to resign during the June 12 situation pursuing the annulment of the 1993 predetermination results.

The erstwhile caput of state, who was said to person been initially amazed by Lamido's earnest request, aboriginal admitted that helium wished helium had met him overmuch earlier.

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Source: Legit.ng