The army chief first sparked off public debate about his political loyalties when he appeared before the human rights investigation panel late last year. He publicly boasted of his unqualified loyalty to the late General Sani Abacha , regarded by many Nigerians as the most brutal dictator ever to rule the country. General Malu was criticised in the Nigerian newspapers for his public statement criticising the bilateral military agreement with the United States. He did not like the fact that American military officers were invited to assist in retraining Nigerian soldiers in peacekeeping operations. It was generally agreed that Mr Malu should have raised whatever objections he had through the official channels, rather than through the media.
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