In the cataclysmic decade that is the focus of this book, Nigeria was subject to several near-death experiences. These began when the country nearly tore itself apart after the northern-led military government annulled the results of a 1993 presidential election won by the southerner Moshood Abiola, and ended with former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo being the unlikely conduit of democracy. This mini-history of a nation's life also reflects on three mesmerizing protagonists who personified that era. First up is Abiola: the multi-billionaire businessman who had his election victory voided by the generals who made him rich, and who was later assassinated. General Sani Abacha was the mysterious, reclusive ruler under whose watch Abiola was arrested and pro-democracy activists (including Abiola's wife) were murdered. He also oversaw a terrifying Orwellian state security operation. Although Abacha is today reviled as a tyrant, the author eschews selective amnesia, reminding Nigerians that they goaded him into seizing power. The third protagonist is Obasanjo, who emerged from prison to return to power as an elected civilian leader. The penumbra of military rule still looms over Nigeria nearly twenty years after the soldiers departed, and key personalities featured in this book remain in government, including the current president.

upload/motw_shc_2025_10/shc/Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune_ - Max. Siollun.pdf

motw/Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune_ - Max. Siollun.pdf

Siollun, Max

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

London, 2019

producers:
Adobe PDF Library 9.9

Memory of the World Librarian: outernationale

In the cataclysmic decade that is the focus of this book, Nigeria was subject to several near-death experiences. These began when the country nearly tore itself apart after the northern-led military government annulled the results of a 1993 presidential election won by the southerner Moshood Abiola, and ended with former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo being the unlikely conduit of democracy. This mini-history of a nation2019s life also reflects on three mesmerising protagonists who personified that era. First up is Abiola: the multi-billionaire businessman who had his election victory voided by the generals who made him rich, and who was later assassinated. General Sani Abacha was the mysterious, reclusive ruler under whose watch Abiola was arrested and pro-democracy activists (including Abiola2019s wife) were murdered. He also oversaw a terrifying Orwellian state security operation. Although Abacha is today reviled as a tyrant, the author eschews selective amnesia, reminding Nigerians that they goaded him into seizing power. The third protagonist is Obasanjo, who emerged from prison to return to power as an elected civilian leader. The penumbra of military rule still looms over Nigeria nearly twenty years after the soldiers departed, and key personalities featured in this book remain in government, including the current president." From book cover.?

Cover 1
Half-title 3
Title 5
Copyright 6
Dedication 7
Contents 9
Dedication 11
Acronyms 13
Preface 15
List of Illustrations 17
Maps 19
1. Children of Oduduwa 23
2. Stepping Aside 35
3. 82 Days 39
4. The Khalifa 53
5. He Said She Said 63
6. Confrontation 71
7. Enough Is Enough 79
8. The ‘Phantom Coup’ 93
9. The Ogoni Thirteen 115
10. Murder Inc. 139
11. The Weeping Generals 153
12. Five Leprous Fingers 175
13. A Coup from Heaven 183
14. Divine Intervention 199
15. Nigeria Inc. 215
16. End of the Road 235
17. Power Shift 239
18. Uncle Sege 253
19. People of the Book 263
20. Back to the Future 285
Appendix 1: Timeline of Key Events, 1993 to 2003 289
Appendix 2: Nigeria’s Last Military Government 295
Appendix 3: Coup Sentences: 1995 and 1997 299
Appendix 4: Military Officers Retired by President Obasanjo in 1999 307
Notes 313
Bibliography 331
Index 335
Illustrations 348

2025-10-27