Vol 39 No 2 | NIGERIA Plots, lies and videotapes 23rd January 1998 Amid general discontent and military nervousness, the Abacha regime's latest claim of a coup plot is unlikely to be its last General Sani Abacha is pulling out all the stops to gain maximum political advantage from the latest alleged coup plot. Videotaped scenes from interrogations of the accused, including...
Vol 39 No 1 | NIGERIA Rotters or plotters? 9th January 1998 On the face it, the 21 December allegation that the Deputy Head of State, Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya, Major General Tunji Olanrewaju, Maj. Gen. Abdulkarim Adisa and eight...
Vol 38 No 25 | NIGERIA After Yar'Adua 19th December 1997 The death of a detained politician has focused attention on northern discontents Whatever caused the death of gaoled Northern military politician Shehu Musa Yar'Adua'on 9 December, it has sent a powerful message that Northerners can expect no special favours from...
Vol 38 No 24 | NIGERIA Rebranding Abacha 5th December 1997 The personality cult around General Sani Abacha is growing rapidly, ahead of his expected candidacy in next August's presidential elections. A new biography entitled – Sani Abacha –...
Vol 38 No 22 | NIGERIA The General's transition 7th November 1997 As Sani Abacha makes his political plans there is growing disquiet in the military No one who has visited the Presidential complex at Aso Rock in recent weeks doubts that General Sani Abacha, encouraged by his wife Maryam and his 'kitchen cabinet',...
Vol 38 No 21 | NIGERIAOIL AND GAS Clearing out 24th October 1997 Uncertainties about General Abacha's health have prompted a rush for oil profits Nobody knows whether General Sani Abacha will take off his uniform and try to win an election as his own civilian successor in August 1998. Moreover, he may...
Vol 38 No 19 | NIGERIA Oil glistens 26th September 1997 General Sani Abacha's regime may be a pariah for Western and Commonwealth governments but it's determined to win friends in his own region. Not content with being Chairman...
Vol 38 No 18 | BENINNIGERIA Cross-border crimes 12th September 1997 As pressure mounts on Nigeria's military regime, Abacha tackles his border problems Chairing the Economic Community of West African States has pushed the reclusive General Sani Abacha into the limelight with Nigeria's neighbours. None, perhaps, is more important to Nigeria...
Vol 38 No 17 | NIGERIAAFRICA Fela and his heirs 29th August 1997 As millions mourn the passing of the Afrobeat King and his pioneering work, Africa's music industry is stronger than ever 'When I am President', intoned Fela Anikulapo Kuti at the height of his political campaigning, 'all Africa will dance to my music'. His political ambitions were unfulfilled but...