How Comedian Ali Baba’s Risky Joke on Abacha Sparks Near-Death Experience

By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel

Veteran Nigerian comedian, Ali Baba, recently shared a chilling story about a joke he made about Nigeria’s former military leader, General Sani Abacha, that nearly cost him his life.

During an appearance on the Leadership Podcast, the 59-year-old recalled how humor almost turned fatal under Abacha’s regime.

“The first close encounter I had with death is when General Sani Abacha was the President,” Ali Baba began.

The comedian recounted anchoring an event in Abuja during the tense days of Abacha’s rule. Midway through the program, Ali Baba noticed Abacha, famous for his trademark Rayban sunglasses, was still wearing them well into the night.

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Seizing the moment, Ali Baba directed a light-hearted jab at the general. He recalled, “I stopped the cultural group 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?’’

To his surprise, Abacha removed his sunglasses and spoke to an aide, setting off a chain of events that Ali Baba could only describe as surreal. Immediately, he spotted DSS officers moving toward the stage. Realizing they intended to confront him, Ali Baba made a split-second decision, moving to sit near Abacha himself.

“I said, ‘Don’t worry, sir; let them arrest me here.’ He then looked at me and smiled,” Ali Baba recounted.

This close brush with danger is a stark reminder of the oppressive atmosphere under Abacha’s regime. Abacha’s rule from 1993 to 1998 was notorious for human rights abuses, imprisoning, torturing, or eliminating those who dared to criticize or oppose him.