Jeremiah Useni, a prominent Nigerian military officer and key figure during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, has passed away. Useni, who held various influential positions during Abacha's rule, died today at the age of 79.
Useni's career spanned several decades, with significant involvement in Nigeria's military and political landscapes. As a close ally of General Abacha, Useni served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 1993 to 1998, and was also the military governor of Plateau State. He was a central figure in the controversial military government that came to power in 1993, following the annulment of Nigeria’s 1993 presidential election.
His legacy remains highly controversial. During Abacha’s reign, Useni was seen as a staunch supporter of the regime’s harsh tactics, which included suppression of political dissent, human rights abuses, and the curtailing of democratic freedoms. Useni’s involvement in key decisions during this period marked him as a significant, if contentious, figure in the nation's history.
In the years following Abacha’s death in 1998, Useni continued his political career, attempting to reconcile his past actions with the evolving democratic landscape of Nigeria. However, his association with the Abacha era left him with a divided legacy, particularly in the eyes of those who endured the oppressive regime.