Why Abacha wanted my husband killed – Maiden Ibru

late publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru

Maiden, wife of the late publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru, claimed on Tuesday that the late General Sani Abacha administration wanted to kill her husband because he refused to rescind his decision on the release of some detainees.

The late businessman escaped assassination though his car was sprayed with machine gunfire by unidentified persons in Lagos in 1996.

Mrs. Ibru also claimed that the late Abacha came after her husband,who was the Minister of Internal Affairs from 1993 to 1995, to fulfil his promise to quit power after 18 months.

Speaking at the maiden Alex Ibru Legacy Lecture Series, Mrs. Ibru, said Abacha was infuriated when he learnt that her husband, who had earlier approved the release of some prisoners, was not ready to change his decision.

She said Abacha banged his hand on the table, saying Ibru’s decision to disobey his (Abacha) directive was treason.

She said, “Alex Ibru had already approved the release of some people that were in prison based on Abacha’s directive. But some of Abacha’s men did not like it. They later ordered Alex to change the decision on the release of those in prison, but he (Alex Ibru) did not agree.

“Abacha banged his hand on the table and described Alex’s rejection of his directive as treason. From then, they went after him (Ibru). We thank God that he lived 15 years after that time.”

Mrs. Ibru also claimed that her husband rejected Abacha’s appointment, but changed his decision after giving the military junta his conditions for accepting the job.

She said, “At a time, when they (Abacha’s men) continued to persuade him on the need to accept the appointment, he (Ibru) suggested that the position should be given to his brother.

“He later agreed on conditions. But before he accepted the appointment, my husband said he would go into government as Alex Ibru and would not influence the editorial content of The Guardian.”

Describing her husband as hardworking and thorough, Mrs. Ibru said it was unfortunate that the military junta could come after a man of such quality.

She added, “Alex Ibru even persuaded Abacha to live by his promise of living power after 18 months. If Nigeria has six of Alex Ibru, the country will have no problem. Unfortunately, this is the kind of people that are targetted by assassins.”