Veteran Nigerian comedian Alibaba Akpobome has revealed a heart-stopping moment from his early career when his comedy nearly led to his arrest by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) after making former military dictator General Sani Abacha laugh during a state event.
The renowned comedian, widely regarded as the godfather of Nigerian stand-up comedy, shared the nerve-wracking encounter during a recent public appearance, offering rare insight into the tension-filled atmosphere that characterized Nigeria’s military era under Abacha’s rule from 1993 to 1998.
According to Alibaba, the incident occurred at an official state function honoring the then-Head of State, featuring cultural dance presentations and entertainment. As the performances progressed into the evening and lighting conditions dimmed, Alibaba noticed something that struck him as peculiar – General Abacha continued wearing his trademark dark sunglasses despite the fading daylight.
In what many would consider an extraordinary display of courage – or perhaps youthful recklessness – Alibaba took a risk that few would dare during Abacha’s notoriously repressive regime. He requested the dancers to pause momentarily and addressed the military ruler directly with humor that targeted Abacha’s signature accessory.
The comedian questioned how the Head of State could properly appreciate the cultural display while wearing dark shades in increasingly poor lighting conditions – a comment that could easily have been interpreted as disrespectful to the powerful leader known for his intolerance of criticism.
“I noticed that it was getting darker, and General Abacha was still wearing his sunglasses,” Alibaba recalled during his narration. “So I asked the dancers to stop and said, ‘Your Excellency, how will you see these dancers with these dark glasses?'”
What happened next surprised everyone present. Rather than taking offense, Abacha responded by removing his iconic Ray-Ban sunglasses and setting them aside, seemingly appreciating the comedian’s boldness. This moment of unexpected levity from the typically stern military ruler temporarily lightened the atmosphere in the room.
However, the brief relief quickly evaporated when Alibaba noticed DSS operatives mobilizing and heading backstage – a development that indicated his humorous observation might have crossed an invisible line despite Abacha’s apparent amusement. The security personnel’s movement suggested they were preparing to apprehend the comedian for his audacious remarks toward the Head of State.
Recognizing the potentially dangerous situation unfolding, Alibaba made a split-second decision that likely saved him from a troubling encounter with Nigeria’s feared security apparatus. Instead of returning backstage where the DSS agents were gathering, he opted for an unusual strategy – approaching Abacha directly and positioning himself on the ground directly in front of the military leader.
“As soon as I made the announcement, I saw DSS boys going to the backstage. When I saw this I went to where Abacha was and sat down on the ground in front of him,” Alibaba recounted, describing his quick-thinking maneuver.
The comedian’s instinctive move proved effective. Seeing Alibaba seated before him, General Abacha reportedly chuckled at the comedian’s transparent attempt to avoid arrest by staying within his direct view. According to Alibaba, the dictator made a joking comment acknowledging the comedian’s clever tactic, effectively diffusing what could have been a dangerous situation for the entertainer.
This revelation from one of Nigeria’s most respected comedy pioneers has sparked significant reaction online, with many commenters noting how the anecdote encapsulates both the oppressive nature of military rule in Nigeria and the unique power of humor to occasionally transcend even the most intimidating power structures.
Twitter user @Sire_Sammi offered a sobering observation about the incident: “What I get from this is that our security agencies are like zombies that can be used anyhow by whoever that is in power. They really do not have any sense of law or sovereignty. Whichever monster ruling at anytime can tell them to eliminate citizens and the zombies obey with no sense of law.
Meanwhile, other social media responses focused on the more lighthearted aspects of the story, with @oluwazam commenting: “Nice man. He still dashed him the Ray-Ban glasses
” and @BWLawal remarking on the inherent courage of comedians: “Comedians are bold o! Ah!”
Some commenters offered context for Abacha’s perpetual sunglasses, with @xnstvi explaining: “Sani Abacha used to wear dark shades cos he had Liver Cirrhosis that changed the colours of parts of his body including his face, that’s why he wore dark Raybans.”
Alibaba’s story provides a rare glimpse into the personal side of one of Nigeria’s most feared military rulers. General Sani Abacha, who seized power in November 1993 and ruled until his sudden death in June 1998, presided over a regime known for human rights abuses, press censorship, and political assassinations. His government maintained tight control over dissent, making Alibaba’s comedic challenge all the more remarkable.
The anecdote also highlights the unique position comedians have sometimes occupied in societies under authoritarian rule, using humor to express truths or observations that might be dangerous coming from others. Throughout history, court jesters and comedians have occasionally been afforded leeway to speak more freely than ordinary citizens – though often walking a precarious tightrope with severe consequences for misjudging the boundaries.
For Alibaba, who would go on to become one of Nigeria’s most successful and influential comedians, the encounter represents an early brushstroke in a career that has spanned decades and helped shape Nigeria’s thriving comedy industry. Today, he is celebrated not just for his humor but for his business acumen and mentorship of younger talents in the entertainment industry.
This story from Nigeria’s not-so-distant past serves as a reminder of how far the country has come in terms of freedom of expression since returning to democratic rule in 1999, while also highlighting the enduring power of comedy to bridge divides and humanize even the most formidable figures.
