Abacha Was A God-sent Messiah To The Ijaw Nation —Ikuli

Chairman of the Sani Abacha Memorial Lecture Committee, Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, has described former Nigerian military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as a "God-sent messiah" to the Ijaw Nation, citing the creation of Bayelsa State as one of the most significant milestones in the political history of the Ijaw people.

In a statement marking the 28th anniversary of Abacha's death, Ikuli argued that the foundation of modern Nigeria could be traced to Akassa in present-day Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and noted that the struggle for state creation in post-independence Nigeria was largely influenced by agitations from minority ethnic groups, including the Ijaw people.

According to him, despite several state creation exercises after independence, successive governments failed to create a homogeneous state for the Ijaw people. He stated that numerous peaceful and violent agitations by Ijaws over the years yielded little result because of what he described as "grand conspiracies" against the ethnic nationality.

Ikuli claimed that opponents of an Ijaw State feared that granting the Ijaw people political identity and autonomy would affect the operations of the Federal Government and International Oil Companies exploiting resources in the Niger Delta. However, he maintained that General Abacha rejected such arguments and proceeded with policies aimed at giving minority ethnic groups greater political recognition.

He further argued that Abacha opposed what he described as the domination of Nigeria's political landscape by the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo ethnic groups and instead championed a more inclusive structure that led to the emergence of the country's six geopolitical zones.

The committee chairman said the creation of Bayelsa State on October 1, 1996, provided the Ijaw people with a political identity and a stronger voice within the Nigerian federation, while also accelerating socio-economic and infrastructural development in the area.

Reflecting on Bayelsa's transformation since its creation, Ikuli noted that younger generations may not fully appreciate the extent of development that has taken place in a state that once had very limited infrastructure and accessibility.

He also challenged popular perceptions about the late military ruler, arguing that many of the negative narratives surrounding Abacha were influenced by foreign interests and local collaborators. According to him, Abacha demonstrated compassion towards minority groups, the poor and vulnerable members of society.

Recounting his personal efforts to research the life and legacy of the late Head of State, Ikuli disclosed that his quest took him to the Abacha family residence in Kano, where he met with Hajia Mariam Abacha and members of her family, including Mohammed Abacha.

He said he explained to the family that he was working on a book about the former Nigerian leader and was subsequently encouraged by the former First Lady to meet Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to General Abacha, who was then being held at Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos.

According to Ikuli, Mariam Abacha facilitated the contact by providing him with the phone number of Alhaji Nasiru, elder brother of Al-Mustapha, who later assisted him in gaining access to the prison.

Describing his meeting with Al-Mustapha as memorable and historic, Ikuli said the former security chief shared several accounts regarding the creation of Bayelsa State and General Abacha's relationship with the Ijaw people.

Among the claims attributed to Al-Mustapha was that Bayelsa State was not originally included among the states recommended by the state creation committee but was personally added by General Abacha before the official announcement on October 1, 1996.

Ikuli also quoted Al-Mustapha as saying that he was only the second Ijaw person to visit him in prison after Niger Delta activist Asari Dokubo.

Furthermore, he claimed that Al-Mustapha narrated how General Abacha deliberately appointed Brigadier General Cletus Emein, an Ijaw officer, as Military Administrator of Niger State despite having no prior personal relationship with him. According to the account, Emein was selected because Abacha wanted an Ijaw officer to serve as a military administrator and considered him the most senior officer qualified for the position.

Ikuli said the information gathered from his engagements with the Abacha family and Al-Mustapha eventually culminated in the publication of his 2010 book titled "General Sani Abacha and the Contemporary Ijaw Nation."

He added that he subsequently initiated the General Sani Abacha Memorial Lecture campaign in Bayelsa State as part of efforts to preserve and promote the former leader's legacy among the Ijaw people.

The committee chairman further recalled that former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, once invited members of the Abacha family to Bayelsa for a special celebration in honour of the late Head of State. He noted that although he was not formally invited, he was informed of the visit by one of Abacha's former bodyguards while he was in Abuja and was therefore unable to attend.

Highlighting what he described as the benefits of Bayelsa State's creation, Ikuli argued that the state had produced numerous political leaders and public office holders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, governors, ministers, senators, members of the National Assembly, commissioners and other appointees.

He also credited the creation of the state with expanding access to federal appointments, employment opportunities and higher educational institutions while increasing Bayelsa's visibility on the global stage.

"As far as the Ijaw Nation is concerned, General Sani Abacha remains one of the most important figures in our political history because he gave the Ijaw people a political identity and a stronger voice in the Nigerian federation," Ikuli stated.

He called on the Bayelsa State Government and the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to consider declaring June 8 a public holiday in honour of the late military ruler's contributions to the creation of Bayelsa State.

According to him, such recognition would serve as a lasting tribute to Abacha's role in shaping the political fortunes of the Ijaw people and Bayelsa State.