Sadiq Abacha, the son of Nigeria’s former military ruler, the late General Sani Abacha, has described his father as an envy of his contemporaries.
This is coming on the heels of recent comments made about his father by the former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in his new autobiography entitled ‘A Journey in Service’
Sadiq took to his Facebook page on Saturday, to pay tribute to his late father, suggesting that those criticizing him among his contemporaries were only envious of him.
He said his father was a victim of subtle betrayal but expressed confidence that history would eventually judge him favourably.
It would be recalled that IBB in his book portrayed Abacha as someone who did not believe in the return to civilian rule that his administration pursued.
He said one of his failures was not successfully getting Abacha to buy into the transition programme, adding that he had a face that was very difficult to read as a result of which he did not know that he did not support the transition until it was too late.
IBB said the annulment was influenced by forces within his administration allegedly led by Abacha without his full awareness.
Sadiq apparently did not buy the explanation.
He wrote of his father: “The man Abacha—you have always been the one they envied with silent deceit. History shall remember you for being a better leader, no matter how much they try to put you down. As a son, I am most proud of you today. You indeed are the man they wish they were half of.”
Abacha’s son ended his piece with a Hausa proverb, “Duk wanda yayi jifa a kasuwa,” meaning, “Whoever throws a stone in the market…”— suggesting that whatever anyone does has commensurate consequences.
