Upon seizing power in November 1993, General Sani Abacha disbanded all democratic institutions erected by previous governments including local governments, state governors, state houses of assembly, both houses of the National Assembly and the country's two political parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (West Africa 29 Nov.-5 Dec. 1993, 2153).

A 7 December 1993 Xinhua General Overseas News Service report stated that highly placed, unidentified members of both parties were being sought by police. The report quotes sources close to police as saying that the search may be connected to missing or unaccounted for assets of the two parties (ibid.).

According to a representative of West Africa, an unspecified number of Social Democratic Party members who took out four-year government loans, have had their loans called in. The source stated that those unable to immediately repay have been arrested and held without trial (19 Jan. 1994).

The source indicated that other SDP members have been charged with theft of government property, but did not know the numbers involved or whether any of these individuals had been jailed (ibid.). The source indicated that these actions had been carried out primarily by state military administrations (ibid.).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

West Africa [London]. 29 November-5 December 1993. Bola Olowo. "The Generals Take Over."

West Africa, London. 19 January 1994. Telephone interview with journalist.

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 7 December 1993. No. 1207154 "Two Disbanded Parties' Chieftains Wanted in Nigeria." (NEXIS)

West Africa [London]. 29 November-5 December 1993. Bola Olowo. "The Generals Take Over."

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 7 December 1993. No. 1207154 "Two Disbanded Parties' Chieftains Wanted in Nigeria." (NEXIS)