Veteran Nigerian comedian Ali Baba recently shared a harrowing experience where his joke about former military leader General Sani Abacha nearly cost him his life.
During Abacha’s regime, Ali Baba performed at an event in Abuja where he made a joke about Abacha’s sunglasses, 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 removed his glasses, spoke to his aide, and then Ali Baba noticed DSS officers waiting for him backstage. To avoid arrest, Ali Baba quickly sat next to Abacha, who joked about him and asked why he didn’t want to go backstage. Ali Baba boldly replied, “Don’t worry, sir, let them arrest me here.” Abacha smiled, and fortunately, the situation diffused.
This incident highlights the risks comedians and entertainers faced during Abacha’s rule from 1993 to 1998, notorious for human rights abuses and suppression of opposition.
