Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has stated that individuals who served under the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, continue to hold influence in Nigeria’s political space.
Rufai Oseni noted that many of them still benefit from government appointments decades after the end of military rule.
Oseni made the comment on Friday in a post on X while reflecting on Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations.
He wrote: “Those that served Abacha are still relevant today and enjoying government. They enjoyed the best of military and civilian. Happy Democracy Day.”
His remark came as Nigerians marked Democracy Day on June 12, a date set aside to honour the struggle for democratic governance and the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
The Federal Government had earlier declared June 12 a public holiday in commemoration of Democracy Day, through the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The day also serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian government in 1999.
General Sani Abacha ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998, a period widely regarded as one of the most controversial in the country’s history, marked by allegations of human rights abuses, suppression of political opposition, and widespread corruption.
However, several political figures who served during the military era have continued to remain active in successive democratic administrations.
