Babangida and the military organize and then annul a 1993 presidential election, which is widely seen as free and fair. The move precipitates the worst crisis since the civil war. Millionaire Yoruba businessman Moshood Abiola is widely seen as the winner. Dictator General Sani Abacha takes power in 1993 brushing aside industrialist Ernest Shonekan, who had been appointed to oversee the transition to civilian rule. Abacha detains Abiola and executes nine minority rights activists, including author Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Western countries impose some sanctions.
The Commonwealth suspends Nigeria. Abacha dies of heart attack in 1998. He had been planning to run in a sham election. Abiola dies in detention. General Abdulsalami Abubakar, another northerner, assumes power and steers Nigeria back to civilian rule.