Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military dictator and statesman who ruled Nigeria as military head of state from 1993, following a palace coup d'état, until his death in 1998.

Presidential elections were held in Nigeria on 19 April 2003. The incumbent, Olusegun Obasanjo, was re-elected as the president of Nigeria. Supported by the Peoples Democratic Party, he defeated Muham