Veteran journalist and public affairs analyst, Dr. Dayo Sobowale has shared a vivid recollection of the day Nigeria’s former military ruler, General Sani Abacha, died painting a picture of fear, relief and widespread public jubilation.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV from 3:03, Sobowale recounted the exact moment he received the news of Abacha’s sudden death on June 8, 1998. According to him, the announcement was met with both shock and cautious celebration due to the oppressive nature of the regime.
“My friend Eric Teniola phoned me and said, ‘Ayo, the mighty has fallen,’ and I said, ‘Don’t put me in trouble.’ I dropped the phone,” Sobowale recalled. “And I looked outside to see if there were any police vans around. It was that bad. It was that bad.”
Sobowale’s words captured the climate of fear that pervaded Nigeria during Abacha’s rule, a period marked by arbitrary arrests, human rights abuses and political assassinations. His death, reportedly from a sudden heart attack brought a sense of release for many Nigerians who had suffered under his regime.
The reaction, Sobowale noted, was immediate and emotional, even in private spaces. “He was that bad that people rejoiced,” he said, underlining the deep resentment many felt.
The clip has since gone viral, sparking renewed discussions about Abacha’s legacy, the resilience of Nigerians under authoritarian rule and the contrast with today’s political atmosphere. Sobowale’s account serves as a reminder of a dark chapter in Nigeria’s history and the enduring importance of freedom and democratic governance.
