Renowned Nigerian comedian Ali Baba has shared a chilling encounter that could have cost him his life during General Sani Abacha’s regime.
In an appearance on Leadership Podcast, the 59-year-old comedian recalled performing at an event in Abuja where he made a joke about Abacha’s sunglasses.
“I stopped the cultural group’s 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?'” Ali Baba recounted.
Abacha, known for his authoritarian rule from 1993 to 1998, removed his glasses and made light of the situation, but DSS officers were already waiting for Ali Baba backstage.
“I went down the stage to sit next to Abacha. He made jokes about me and questioned why I refused to go backstage. I said, ‘Don’t worry, sir, let them arrest me here.’ He looked at me and smiled,” Ali Baba said.