How Sani Abacha overthrew Ernest Shonekan in 1993

The Sani Abacha coup of November 17, 1993, happened quickly and in broad daylight. All relevant military units and conspirators in Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna were quietly placed on alert.
Under protective cover provided by a detachment of the National Guard led by Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, three very senior officers, motivated by different instincts and with no consensus on what would happen thereafter, flew to Abuja from Lagos.
They calmly walked into Shonekan’s office at the Presidential Villa and asked that he resign. These officers were General Sani Abacha (Defence Secretary), Lt. General Oladipo Diya (Chief of Defence Staff), and Lt. Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (Chief of Army Staff).
Ernest Shonekan, the former United African Company (UAC) Executive, never had operational control of the Armed Forces during his controversial tenure. He wisely chose not to resist. #HistoryVille #SaniAbacha #ErnestShonekan
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Video Credits: Nigeria History Channel, ITV
Source: dawodu.com/omoigui20.htm, www.dawodu.com/omoigui21.htm
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:25 The Sani Abacha coup of November 17, 1993
30:35 The June 12 Saga
52:20 Babangida: End of a Reign
55:28 Ernest Shonekan: A child of circumstance
01:16:44 Nigeria's last active coup d'état
01:18:59 Next Video

[@HistoryVille]

Thanks for watching. We are glad that you enjoyed it. Please don't forget to like, subscribe, and share with your friends. You can watch *What Really Caused General Sani Abacha's Death on June 8, 1998?* here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hafVo2qinqaJgqc

[@alhassanimarke4888]

Ii

[@dorothyntibi3366]

Q¹

[@olugbemigaoresanya7031]

Lol. OBJ boiz....

[@habibahmed8185]

Lol

[@daxhillmorton3392]

Your information is incorrect. Shonekan was not overthrown as he was never elected...Shonekan was appointed by Babangida as a public servant who was eventually relieved of the appointment. Kindly note that Shonekan was never a bonifide head of state.

[@drinkskhalifa7153]

Abacha you're the man, the kind of man we lack right now in Nigeria, Nigeria of today is struggling ready to fall, may God protect Nigeria and strengthen her to the highest level, we miss you sir. RIP my general

[@muhdkabirbala3167]

Indeed khalipha.

[@justmangojuice]

How is he the man he stole the country blind.

[@drinkskhalifa7153]

@@justmangojuice stolen the country it's only on paper not fact, there is story behind that money which I don't think you will understand the game in politics, do u believe all the previous leaders steal money?? If yes, then" have u ever think on why the rest of the thieves were not mentioned regularly? And they keep exaggerating abacha loot, do u know why?? Because they still alive. If abacha is still alive no one can say that, right now he is not alive and he dealt with the enemy of the nation the current leaders, so they can do anything to tarnished his image.

[@drinkskhalifa7153]

@@justmangojuice if you do your math correctly you will find out that abacha was the one that boost Nigerian economy more than anyone else, he promotes Nigeria economically and militarily, Nigeria become so powerful in his time and during his time Nigeria experience less corruption, he never jokes in that area it's difficult for u to steal during his time, no way

[@Akinwalesegun]

@@drinkskhalifa7153 what maths pls give me the maths that shows this

[@jamessunday8915]

This WAS November 1993. This is November 2021. Nigeria is Now in DEEP WELL OF GLOOM.

[@spaceman1441]

Any attempt to test our will, will be decisively dealt with -- General Sani Abacha.

[@abeniominyiamos3953]

Those days we stay glued to our black and white television to listen to Presidential address with rap attention and dedication because they have contents. Now, unfortunately there is nothing like a presidential address but presidential spokesperson spewing out lies!!!

[@gantswood]

Short men are very dangerous indeed. My late uncle is a perfect example of this. Abacha is another example. I really fear short men.

[@kareemhameed4042]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SL-pg4dh]

Napoleon complex

[@arolawunmichael6244]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@FofXequalsYnot]

🤣short people generally…😂😂 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Matthew-hb9ff]

You are right, look at Stalin.

[@longtongkumwar8791]

Abacha was an extremely smart tactician. His battle plan was deception, and he effectively used it to disarm the enemy. Abacha got to the top by pretending not to know anything. Even when he struck, his key opponents in the army and in politics supported him because they did not see him as a threat. Everyone imagined that this general who had no capacity to sit through meetings and generally hated administrative duties was incapable of lasting in office for more than 6 months.

[@anthonyalao7635]

A Master piece. Wonderfully done. This must be shown on National TV

[@HistoryVille]

😊😊😊

[@eechaze12]

I have been curious as to how Babangida managed to tame a power hungry tyrant like Abacha. Abacha has always wanted to be head of state. How he was able to keep Abacha from planning to overthrowing him. In my mind Abacha was the key reason Babangida annulled the election and he left Abacha in power knowing Abacha will plan a coup. Babangida must have secretly feared Abacha

[@kingsleychukwuebuka1814]

Zoological Kingdom

[@kelvinhardy6711]

I swear, ( I have always been wondering the same thing )! I would have never been able to sleep peacefully - knowing I had Abacha as my 2 ND in command .

[@naturalblockade3412]

@@kingsleychukwuebuka1814 have you ever been to a zoological garden? Structured and no animal is hungry.

[@lukmanbiobaku]

You are right. It was Abacha that made Babangida annulled June 12 election. Well planned

[@jaystan4597]

Being the longest serving chief of army staff, he had the army in his palms.

[@ayyyyyyyu1845]

It would have been lovely if you could have interviewed Shonekan to get his own side of the story.

[@adewoleodunayo2039]

How I wish to listen to him but his dead

[@TolaOlokungbemi]

What a comprehensive report!!! Well done. All Ogun state origin are disgraceful

[@johnonoh59]

What a great documentary. Back in 1993 and as young as I was then I was not surprised Abacha struck. The law establishing the interim government made it clear that the secretary of defence (a position occupied by Abacha on inception) was the most senior cabinet position after the interim president (Shonekan). The law also held that in the event of resignation, death and so on of the latter that the most senior cabinet member takes over. What else could have been politically convenient for Abacha's ambition?

[@ukoparah]

Why didn't Shonekan align with the Yoruba military and civil society to summarily retire Ababca and install Abiola who will now use his new position as the president and winner of the freest and fairest election to deal with the Caliphate North who inspired the annulment of June 12 Election?

[@ogmoney7655]

@@ukoparahhe has no power over the military 😂😂😂

[@abdurrahmanabubakar98]

History ville your video are really topnotch and exclusively fascinating 👏

[@HistoryVille]

🥰🥰

[@olayiwolaismail4269]

Appreciate this anecdote. Highly-rated documentaries of escapades of unforgettable past government's. Thank You

[@mohammednababa332]

Welldone sir. Can't believed I was glued to my phone for this for 84minutes. 👍👍👍

[@HistoryVille]

Wow. Thanks. That's impressive.

[@josephkoroma9862]

Yea man me too .as a Sierra leonean I just love Nigerian politics

[@alinoor6515]

Abacha very tough man

[@btgoc888]

Good documentary and commentary. Research is good, but can be better. Credible sources are always important in pivotal historical events such as this one. Finally a suggestion, keep your videos Afrocentric and avoid Europe, Asia etc. Africa is a niche that has not been tapped yet, make it yours and own it. The viewers will come. Just a matter of time 👍

[@HistoryVille]

Thank you. We'll keep this under advisement.

[@touchnot7334]

@laga ndum well written! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@wade1198]

Maybe you should do your own, since you know full details of this historical documentary,.

[@btgoc888]

@@wade1198 Actually, I could but history is not my hobby. That said, there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. I seem to detect sarcasm in your response.

[@wade1198]

@@btgoc888 Nothing sarcastic in my comment, someone sis a great job, you are criticizing them, and then you said history isn't you hubby, then you know nothing about what you are criticizing them for, if you are not an expert yourself.

[@highbury10]

GREAT Job as usual!!! Still waiting for my your video of 1995 Phantom Coup. That is closely related to this

[@johnadonyedan-jumbo687]

Who noticed Abacha’s favourite word is ‘Decisive’

[@mohammedremawa8948]

And dissolved. Lol.

[@MohammedAduAryeetey]

​@@mohammedremawa8948⁰

[@frankgkilima2510]

An excellent documentary. Detailed, coherent and well prepared.

[@SmartKelz]

An awesome piece,,, thanks for all this, God bless your efforts

[@HistoryVille]

🙏

[@SHEHUABDULLAHNDA-KOCHILA.]

Thank you for the narrating the story, but I think you should be also giving the videos!!!.

[@abdullahihaliru6594]

Actually the author shows professionalism in this documentary.. I salute your performance.

[@HistoryVille]

🙏

[@fomusoemmanuel6879]

Thanks to the author of this very insightful documentary. However from time to time the speaker kept on talking of 1995, 1997 and 1999 for event which clearly took place in the 1980s. Except I was getting the pronunciations incorrectly. Nevertheless, thank you HistoryVille for your educative documentaries.

[@honprofzekwes-hpz9104]

I noticed. But I believe they're mistakes. That should be 1985, 1987 and 1989.

[@tayomosesajayi2128]

Pls check, the author is precisely correct. 1983 Dec. Buhari; 1985 - 1993 Babangida's.

[@adeyeyeolumidepeters354]

His Narration was educative, but the voice over is not artistic.

[@ovieonojeghuo8347]

😂😂😂😂😂😂It Was Slip Of Tongue

[@tyy5557]

Job well done. Very informative.

[@omefrancis5492]

Wonderful 👏 👏 👏, interim government is hereby dissolved, NEC dissolved, the two political Parties are hereby dissolved, National are hereby proscribed , i can't believe that l watched and listened to this documentary 😳 for a whole 84mins, chaiiiiii. Thanks buddy

[@HistoryVille]

😊😊😊 Thanks for watching through.

[@donaldedema2167]

During that period, it was only a matter of time that Abacha would become Head of State. He helped two coups succeed, and was only waiting for his time to take over government. Hence while other officers were retired, he was left behind to fulfill his dreams.

[@helicopterbros7988]

As a Nigerian I’m proud to watch this keep it up

[@HistoryVille]

Thank you.

[@ademola.adedeji4513]

I.like.this.story

[@waleolabowale9825]

The history of the military boy's of Nigeria who had the opposite of doing so much but mortgaged the future of the country

[@obynoomere1280]

Thank you for the excellent and insightful research.

[@patrickkolawole4104]

This advert of past anti- democracy and military junta, of the past military intervention in democratic governance, resembles an invitation to military re-intervention again to overthrow democracy in Nigeria. Above video should be in national archive not rebroadcast. Military failed Nigeria and destroyed our first parliamentary constitution, which was wrongly replaced with corruption ridden, expensive cost of governance, lacks check and balances and too expensive to run, as 80 percent of annual budget go to recurrent expenditure under presidential which is corrupt ridden and costly, as our health care turned archaic, roads deathtraps and nation remains in darkness. Dr Patrick Kolawole Boboye.

[@olaoyeajiboye4213]

History is highly essential in our society. Don't remove History from the Curriculum.

[@ifeyinwaburson8959]

This is absolutely historic most of what am reading and listening was never taught in school while I was studying in Nigeria never knew most of this history knowledge until now so sad.

[@rafiubello7778]

I now understand why the truth evaded the Country and why the race is not for the Swift. God bless you all.

[@MichaelEze]

Wonderful video 🙌🏾

[@HistoryVille]

🙌

[@liyumarketshopping]

i like old school coup !!! Thank u for ur service , and step aside !

[@festusaniemeka3350]

Best leader we ever had easily

[@rodiebakpa9368]

What?????????? Da man was a selfish, bloody, mad man. U must be joking, right??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😂

[@chibuzorjude4455]

Stockholm syndrome...... Who dash am....

[@user-lr2mn4fs1b]

From Abacha's speech, we can see that Ernest Shonekan was commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Abacha established that fact in his speech.

[@Mrm-hs6ld]

Any attempt to test our will! Will be decisively dealt with.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. This one especially touched me🤣♥️

[@aldenpeng4787]

That is the real President talking. Not ready to lick the west ass. We will defend ourselves by ourselves. But today 😥😥🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️

[@Mrm-hs6ld]

@@aldenpeng4787 Abacha was very objective but his ambition to transform himself to a civilian president was a threat to the balance of power and subsequently led to his early demise.

[@aldenpeng4787]

@@Mrm-hs6ld that holy ambition was to save the country from today's disaster. Mustapha said the west had a meeting in 1979 or so, to keep Nigeria and Africa in perpetual slavery and that was what Abacha wanted to stop. He stopped the sokoto caliphate from controlling the government.

[@Mrm-hs6ld]

@@aldenpeng4787 I will quite agree with you that Abacha did dissolve the Sokoto Caliphate however every African knows the objective of the West is to subjugate Africa under friendly government which they continue to do up to this day. But Abacha himself was also very corrupt owing to his large looting of the state coffers. He ought to have handed over just like Obasanjo and Abdulsalami did but to a much popular Nigeria choice but his greed for power intoxicated him. However he remains Nigeria first true dictator as his loots continues to bleed the nation till date.

[@aldenpeng4787]

@@Mrm-hs6ld that loot is the very place people got it all wrong. No one want to ask or investigate the truth about the so called Abacha loot. Is just the saying "give the dog a bad name and kill it" Abacha loot started with Obasanjo as a retaliation to what Abacha did to him. How many people knew that Nigeria was under international heavy and severe sanctions because of Abacha's decision? Anyway is a long story but Abdulsalam Abubakar stole more than whatever you can recover as Abacha loot. Hopefully we will have time to talk about the so called Abacha loot one day.

[@MrTruth-fp2vi]

It's a pity. Nigeria ran as personal estate.

[@eddyerunmwonse8143]

Very very insightful

[@TodayinHistoryOgbeniSkot]

I'll really love to work with you guys. Looking forward to a favourable response team.

[@qadarsaeed]

Thank you

[@JojoOnwukwe]

Thank you.

[@njokucephaschinedu5243]

Nice piece.

[@danielolowu7626]

I see pictures of dangerous men who caused a lot of problems for Nigeria

[@wale1974]

Keep up the good work.....you are a great storyteller.

[@HistoryVille]

Thank you, sir.

[@mikkelmichael9944]

Y will a secretary of defence take over power when we have chief of defence staff & chief of army staff standing watching!

[@kwadwoaddo1146]

Nigeria’s situation now is caused by the greedy man Sani Abacha and Babaginda God will punish even though Abacha is dead

[@KhadijahMusa-ow1wc]

I enjoy all your videos 📹 ☺️ ❤

[@HistoryVille]

Thank you so much!

[@denniskcobi3470]

Well you did a great work here man and ur voice is great too

[@HistoryVille]

😊😊😊 Thank you.

[@SamuelSumbiri-de7ie]

Thanks , it was very interesting.

[@malikakhere2850]

Beautiful video bro

[@HistoryVille]

Thank you.

[@ekwosamuel4649]

Each time I hear our politicians speak as if they care about us, I remember Abacha’s inaugural speech

[@mosesogundipe1629]

But why do I keep hearing 1999 when I believe you're referring to 1989. Lovely job you're doing boss. 🙌

[@HistoryVille]

🙌 Thanks.

[@FridayEkele-co2wy]

That is good for Nigeria 🎉❤💤♥️

[@emmanuelologbeseawolowo9832]

Thanks. I take a bow.

[@obenrene6824]

This man speaks clean ad perfect English.

[@qadarsaeed]

Abacha great leader my god bless him sania abacha👍👍

[@austinecheorah1917]

What is your score of Gboko-Hari now 🤔

[@kellyoku]

Wonderful

[@fortunedigest8300]

You’re the very best boss!! 🤌🏾

[@HistoryVille]

🙌

[@biodunaguda5207]

No doubt the benevolent of military will be the worst of civilian government in all ramifications.

[@isahidris]

You said Abacha is dull and... This doesn't sound like Sani Abacha. IBB said on TV that "Sani put me in the office twice". He is one of the most intelligent officers, IBB listens to him and knows he is his master. You should learn more about him

[@abdulazeezadam9776]

His story sounds fabricated 😊

[@vincentjohnson435]

Where are all of them today?

[@aroussoftware6456]

National electoral commission is hereby dissolve, the two political party is hereby dissolve abacha kala

[@ativiejonathan3705]

That mistake of 1993 that IBB caused the Nation, is still affects the country on to this day.

[@royalplatinum2550]

Shonekan was just an opportunist and a selfish human being. Your towns man contested an election and won. He was robbed and you were given d post and you accepted it. That's not an Omoluwabi behaviour. That is d most wicked thing that not even a savage beast should think about.

[@AhmadAli-zo6dq]

I am enjoying history ville I’m following you guys both twitter and instagram but guess what the interim national government is hereby dissolved 🤣

[@Mrm-hs6ld]

Sani Abacha Nigeria's first true dictator.

[@michaelajayi8546]

Thank you for saying exactly who this man is . He was never a president.

[@hadithitv7517]

A prince should be a fox to sport the snares and a lion to overwhelm the wolf - Niccolo Marchiavelli

[@ovieonojeghuo8347]

Am Enjoying This...

[@Mrm-hs6ld]

@Alden peng Abacha was very objective but his ambition to transform himself to a civilian president was a threat to the balance of power and subsequently led to his early demise.

[@babateacheralaye9333]

Is Nigeria permanently free from being ruled by the soldiers in the nearest future?.The answer is Capital NO. Yes, Nigerians will experience this , but no hassles. All fingers crossed. UK.

[@m45367]

I love your work. Any chance of exploring the politics of Biafran war from both sides of the divide.

[@HistoryVille]

Research ongoing.

[@yuccymainetv1727]

History is important to tell us our real rivals ... We always fight against ourselves here in Africa and the Westerners will be jubilating over our grievances...

[@malacksmamahbaaregrunshie9473]

Inspiet of everythng, these are the real Herros of the country, fighting without fear of dieing for the country, apart from looking for some few dollors as well well well

[@ML-bq3pq]

Please do a video on the Asaba massacre

[@yemi3387]

Abacha was a serial coupist.

[@kinguche9208]

His the best in history of Nigeria

[@michaelokata2420]

Good

[@despman2412]

Oga, you keep saying 1999 instead of 1989

[@kelvinaffable1913]

What about the remaining story You rushed the ending Please the next video

[@zinookoro7306]

Its not 1999.......i think you meant 1989

[@user-iu9ks6jq3q]

Notification gang !

[@charlesnwawelugo6331]

If IBB wanted Democracy to stay in Nigeria he would have retired Abacha n other top army officers that knows the game of coup plotting..But I understand IBB feared Abacha

[@olayiwolaismail4269]

Bamayi,Abacha & Dipo,Salami are all bad!!!

[@Favour2020]

Sani Abacha Did Not Over Take Ernest Shonekan, It Was All Arranged.

[@ibn6743]

The military and officials in this documentary are more of N and SW, but no SE.

[@williams7886]

May it be propaganda or not? A job well done guys. 😂😂. May the Lord protect you guys around the clock, 🙏🙏🙏. Decisively dealt with by hard man Abacha.

[@echefuamadi-ikpa7155]

This is a nice histry

[@mikemagero]

Abacha and Mobutu are one and the same, greed without limits.

[@khalidbashir4017]

The man 🫡

[@arufai]

I truly missed this guy and Nigeria is desperately in need of a leader like him.may he rest in peace

[@ElishaItoro]

Abacha was a wicked man

[@sundayzakka6132]

Where was ECOWAS?

[@victoradim2005]

You see the MURUTUMNPAFUS that put us where we are today

[@alhassanadamwase5768]

This documentary is based on sentiments, bigotry and bais. You have indented the personality of Late Gen Sani Abacha. Gen Abacha was a disciplined officer, a good officer and the best leader Nigeria has ever had.

[@cashmontoks]

Lay of the cocaine

[@olugbemigaoresanya7031]

Did Abacha overthrow Shonekan? I don't think so. IBB stepped aside for Abacha as a successor. But with the June 12 issues still brewing. IBB can't just step aside for Abacha directly. Shonekan was only used as a decoy.

[@emekamarknwosu]

This guy can Read

[@lawrence.412]

1995?you mean 1985?

[@temiloluwaoyejinmi9976]

Huge amount of money stolen by Abacha in Europe and the USA have been recovered with nothing to show for the money recovered. What is the Nigeria government doing to recover the money Abacha kept with Gadaffi in Libya?

[@Vetsolo]

The evil genius