Public affairs commentator Dr. Paul Moses has offered fresh insight into how former Nigerian Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha is perceived in various African countries.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, he revealed that his travels and lectures across the continent consistently expose him to views that differ sharply from the dominant narratives about Abacha within Nigeria.
Dr. Moses explained that he frequently receives surprising feedback about Abacha during his engagements abroad. “I have been to about 15 Africa states and when I give lectures in Sierra Leone, in Botswana, Liberia and different places I’m reminded. As a matter of fact my last visit to Sierra Leone, the longest most beautiful road in Sierra Leone is named after Abacha,” he said.
He added that his curiosity about this admiration once led to a cautionary response from locals in Sierra Leone. According to him, when he attempted to question the acclaim surrounding Abacha based on the critical views common in Nigeria, he was warned that such comments could provoke hostility. “When I asked, coming with what we think about Abacha in Nigeria, I was told to be careful that I could be beaten,” he recounted.
Dr. Moses noted that these experiences highlight the complex ways African nations interpret leadership and historical impact. While Abacha’s rule remains heavily debated in Nigeria often framed around issues of corruption, human rights concerns, and authoritarianism, his government’s foreign policy and contributions to regional stability appear to have left a different legacy in some neighbouring countries.
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