General Sani Abacha, Nigeria' s seventh military head of state, left an indelible mark on the country' s history. His leadership style and policies sparked intense debate, with some viewing him as a strong leader who brought stability and others seeing him as a ruthless dictator who suppressed democracy and human rights.

Abacha' s rise to power was swift, with promotions coming regularly throughout his military career. He played a key role in several coups, including the overthrow of General Buhari and the installation of General Babangida. His loyalty and strategic thinking earned him a place in the ruling Supreme Military Council and later as Minister of Defence in the interim national government.

When Abacha seized power in 1993, he dismantled the existing political structure and restored the 1979 constitution. He promised to hand over power to an elected civilian government but instead implemented a transition program that would last for three years. His regime was marked by human rights abuses, including the execution of Ogoni leaders and the arrest of General Obasanjo.

The international community condemned Abacha' s actions, with the Commonwealth suspending Nigeria' s membership. Canada and other countries criticized his regime, but African nations eventually rallied behind him. Despite his unpopularity, Abacha considered running for president in 1998 or extending his military rule.