International records / OpenAlex research

Divided Nigeria

The deaths on 8 June and 7 July 1998 respectively of the Nigerian Head of State General Sani Abacha, and of opposition leader Chief Moshood Abiola have transformed Nigeria's political landscape. Hostility between Chief Abiola's ethnic group, the Yoruba, and the Muslim northern peoples that dominate the military mean that Nigeria's unity is now in danger. And while the new leader, General Abubakar, now has a real chance to move towards civilian rule, this risks dividing the army, which is the country's only stable and effective modern institution.