Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has revealed that he was among pro-democracy activists released from detention following the death of former military ruler Sani Abacha in 1998.
Sani made this known during an interview from 10:55 on Sahara TV, where he reflected on his personal experience during Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian governance. He noted that his detention was part of a broader crackdown on activists who opposed military leadership and advocated for democratic reforms.
Recalling the moment, Sani said: “When Abacha died, I was in police detention in Kaduna and we were released by Abdulsalami Abubakar. I was one of the beneficiaries of that amnesty by Abdulsalami Abubakar.”
The governor explained that the amnesty granted by Abubakar marked a turning point for many detained activists, as it paved the way for their reintegration into society and renewed participation in the democratic process. He added that the release of political detainees was one of the early steps taken by the new administration to signal a departure from the repressive policies of the previous regime.
Sani emphasized that the period was a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history, as it opened the door for dialogue, reconciliation, and the eventual conduct of the 1999 general elections. He noted that many of those released went on to play active roles in shaping the country’s democratic institutions. Read_More…