The Abacha
administration itself was not only a child of circumstance, but was also the
main beneficiary of Nigeria’s protracted political logjam following the
annulment of the popularly acclaimed free and fair presidential elections that
had produced Chief Abiola as the winner. This crisis, coupled with Abacha’s
anti-democratic posture from the start opened the floodgate of problems for
Nigeria’s image abroad and undermined its respect in the international
community, Washington had to canceled the visas of important military
personnel, restricted arms sales, halted all U.S. economic and military aid,
and cut off Nigeria’s access to trade credits and guarantees (Fadope, 1997).
Also
Abacha initiated foreign act tagged "Abachaism" , he taught it
wise to save Nigerian money abroad for Nigerian at home, Even though this
foreign act brought an untold hardship to Nigerian citizen who were forced to live
under abject poverty and hunger during his regime.
Interestingly,
the regime incurred unprecedented opprobrium when it executed nine persons,
including Ken Saro-Wiwa, a champion of the Ogoni people, who inhabit a portion
of the Niger Delta, where oil production has resulted in severe environmental
degradation. Prior to the executions, the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, had sought to influence General Abacha and his associates by means of quiet diplomacy. However, the killing have generate different critics from different scholars, but my own intake to justify to some extent that the killing are in line with protection Nigeria national interest are of the following:
1. The killings were part of the attempt to silence the opposition and assert control over the country
2. The nationalism activity of the Ogoni's and Ken Saro-Wiwa may lead to another outbreak of civil war, if their activities are not put to check
3. Abacha’s acts toward his domestic affairs clearly portrait him as un-compromised leadership, who uphold the sovereignty of the country from external influence.
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