Oladele Labels Obi’s Abacha Comparison “Naive and Reckless”

Human rights lawyer Kayode Oladele has described Peter Obi’s recent claim that the late Head of State Sani Abacha “now appears more democratic” than some military-era democracy fighters as naive and reckless. Oladele argued that Abacha’s regime was one of Nigeria’s darkest periods, defined by repression, human rights abuses and the silencing of opposition voices. He said it is wrong to compare a brutal military dictatorship with even an imperfect democratic system. He defended the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) members as patriots who faced detention, harassment or exile after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election. Oladele warned that sensational remarks risk distorting history and urged leaders to focus on practical solutions rather than revisionist narratives. A forum participant further stirred debate by suggesting President Tinubu adopt Abacha’s tactics to make critics “disappear permanently.” Observers say such comments underscore the need to uphold democratic ideals and reject any glorification of authoritarian rule.

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