Nigerian comedian and actor Ali Baba recently shared a gripping account of his encounter with the late former military leader, General Sani Abacha, describing it as a “near-death experience.” Speaking on the Leadership Podcast with Stephen Akintayo, Ali Baba recounted the tense incident that took place during Abacha’s presidency at an event in Abuja, where he was tasked with introducing the Akwa Ibom cultural group.
Reflecting on the encounter, Ali Baba said, “The first close encounter I had with death was with Sani Abacha. When Abacha was President, Ernest Shonekan had been removed, so I went to do an event in Abuja.” He recalled that during this event, Abacha was wearing sunglasses that could be folded, which set the stage for a bold interaction.
During the performance, Ali Baba felt compelled to address Abacha directly. “I stopped them and faced Abacha, saying, ‘Your excellency, sir, it’s almost 10; why are you wearing dark shades? Don’t you want to see their performance? Remove this shade na,’” he recounted. His audacity surprised many in attendance, given Abacha’s notorious reputation.
To Ali Baba’s relief, Abacha complied and removed his sunglasses. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted when he noticed Department of State Services (DSS) officers moving backstage. “He then removed the glasses and was talking to someone, and when he kept the glasses, I told the troupe to continue. As soon as they started, I saw the DSS officers going backstage to wait for God knows who o,” Ali Baba added, expressing his growing anxiety.
In a moment of fear for his safety, Ali Baba decided to sit next to Abacha rather than venture backstage where the operatives were lurking. “I went down the stage to where Abacha was and sat on the ground next to him,” he explained. This decision, while risky, showcased his quick thinking in a tense situation.
Abacha, known for his stern demeanor, lightened the mood by joking with Ali Baba about his choice to remain by his side. “He made jokes of me and asked why I refused to go backstage, and I said, ‘Don’t worry, sir, they can come and arrest me here,’” Ali Baba concluded, sharing a laugh about the surreal encounter.
