I am aware that when the shrill voice of one brigadier Sani Abacha was heard over the Nigerian Radio on 31 December 1983, most Nigerians knew little or nothing about me.
Although I had a clear purpose for making that broadcast, I never envisaged that I will subsequently play a prominent role in Nigerian politics or still less head the Nigerian nation.
I see myself with all sense of humility, as someone destined to play roles I never had ambition for. Granted that as a soldier, I am supposed to pursue a career and reach its peak by commanding the Army. Yet, I did not see that as a reason for joining the army.
As a young man, I was simply in love with the army because I considered it the most serious of all professions and a good opportunity for national service. As a young man, I cherished straightforward behaviour.
I cherished firmness. I despised talking or writing too much. I lover brevity and precision. I hated cowardice I hated moving in crowds. I naturally felt that all these qualities could fmd accommodation in no other profession than the Army. Ordinarily, have bothered to tell the story of my life. However, circumstance and destinies have combined to put me in a position that even if I do not write, people will write about me.
People will project me, as many have already done, in different ways, saying what I’m and what I’m not, laying emphasis where I will not and vice versa. To put records straight or at least provide insights that may make for a better comprehension of who I’m, what I saw, what I did and what my visions are, I decided, albeit reluctantly, to write my own story.