Veteran comedian Ali Baba recently shared how a joke he made about former Nigerian military leader General Sani Abacha nearly cost him his life.
Speaking on Leadership Podcast, the 59-year-old comedian recalled the risky nature of humor during Abacha’s regime, describing how his satire about the leader led to a life-threatening encounter.
“The first close encounter I had with death is when general Sani Abacha was the President,” he said.
“So, I went to anchor an event in Abuja. So when it was time for the Akwa Ibom cultural group to perform. Abacha was still wearing one of those dark Rayban sunglasses that could be folded.
“I stopped the cultural group dance and faced Abacha, saying, ‘Your Excellency, sir, it’s almost 10 pm why are you wearing dark shades? Remove this shade nah or don’t you want to see their performance?
“Abacha then removed his glasses and talked to his aide. Immediately I saw DSS officers going backstage to wait for me. Immediately I noticed DSS presence, I went down the stage to sit on the ground next to Abacha. He then made jokes about me and questioned why I refused to go backstage.
“I said don’t worry, sir, let them arrest me here. He then looked at me and smiled.”
General Sani Abacha ruled Nigeria from 1993 to 1998, following a coup that removed interim President Ernest Shonekan.
His regime became notorious for severe human rights abuses, with widespread reports of political repression, including the imprisonment, torture, and assassination of opposition figures.
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