Abacha's Plans for Civilian Presidency Revealed by Ex-DSS

Denni Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), disclosed in his memoir that General Sani Abacha, the late military head of state, believed he was invincible and was planning to transform Nigeria from a military dictatorship to a civilian presidency. Amachree's memoir, titled "40 Journeys Behind the Shield," includes excerpts published by The Nation on Tuesday.

He recounted that despite extensive security measures surrounding Abacha, he could not escape death, which serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of power. Amachree questioned why prominent figures around Abacha allegedly promoted conflicting accounts of his death, suggesting a deliberate effort to propagate false narratives.

He noted that Abacha was allegedly working on a plan to establish five political parties to facilitate a transition to civilian rule, aiming to adopt presidential candidates and create an impression of democratic transition. This situation reflects a broader issue of misinformation and lack of accountability in Nigeria's leadership culture.