On June 8th 1998 a Monday for that matter, the Nigeria’s military leader General Sani Abacha passed away inside the country’s seat of power Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
By then the social media was not existing, but before noon on that fateful Monday rumours about his death have circulated across the country.
Even foreign broadcast stations announced the death of the Nigeria’s helmsman based on speculation while awaiting the official announcement through radio NIgeria.
Finally before six PM the sign tune of radio Nigeria rented the airwaves and in a sympathetic tone the death of the head of Nigeria’s federal military government announcement was made.
Nigerians from the North received his death with remorse but in Lagos and some south western states went in jubilation about the death of Nigerian leader.
June 8 1998: Why Announcement Of General Abacha’s Death Was Delayed
General Abacha’s rule which began from November 17th 1993 ended on June 8th, the day he went back to his creator.
But before his death, the country was thrown into confusion as it remains two month to the general elections when the country’s president was about to be elected and the Head of state happened to be the only candidate of the five political parties.
The political parties that presented General Sani Abacha for transforming from Soldiers uniform to civilian are the United Nigeria Congress Party UNCP, Democratic party of Nigeria DPN, National centre party of Nigeria NCPN, Grassroots Democratic Movement GDM and CNC .
General Sani Abacha was buried on the same day at night at his residence located at Gidado Road Nassarawa GRA Kano after his funeral prayers led by the late Chief Imam of Kano sheikh Idris kuliya Alkali.
The Provisional ruling council PRC sat after the death and appointed the chief of Defense staff General Abdulsalami Abubakar as the new Head of state and on June 9th he assumed office.
