Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has revealed that the circumstances surrounding the death of his predecessor, Gen. Sani Abacha, on June 8, 1998, left him with the impression that “something was amiss.”
Abubakar’s account is detailed in his autobiography Call of Duty, which was publicly presented in Abuja yesterday alongside two other works to mark his 84th birthday.
In the book, he recounts being summoned to the Presidential Villa on the morning of that fateful day with a message that Abacha wished to see him — a moment that preceded the shocking announcement of the late leader’s passing.
On getting to the Presidential Villa, however, he was locked up in a room for more than one hour without being told why, until the then Inspector-General of Police, the late Ibrahim Coomassie, came to open the door.
Abdulsalami wrote: “On Monday, 8 June, I received a call very early in the morning that he (Abacha) wanted to see me.
“I quietly prayed that he would not send me to Togo where there was going to be an ECOWAS summit. I was tired of going everywhere.
“By this time, Lt-General Diya, his No 2, was in detention (over an alleged coup plot).
“I was effectively the No 2 man in government and I was always representing him at events.
“I told my wife I was not happy with the call because I didn’t want to travel to Togo.
“I told my orderly to pack my travelling bag and other personal effects.
“As I entered the bathroom, there was another call. I was told again that the Head of State wanted to see me.
“Out of frustration, I asked if I was travelling to Togo, and the caller replied that it was on another issue.
“Because of the urgency, I didn’t wear my uniform. I wore a tracksuit and slippers and proceeded to the Presidential Villa.
“On getting to his residence, I was told he was in the office. I wondered why he would be that early in the office.
“As I was climbing the stairs, one of the guards informed me that Abacha said I should stay in the waiting room.
“What struck me was that anytime I went to see him, regardless of who was with him, I would still go in.
“After waiting for about half an hour, I reasoned that it was odd.
“Major-General Ishaya Bamaiyi joined me shortly after. We waited for about an hour.
“I decided to go and see Abacha by any means because I could not understand why I would be kept that long.
“To my greatest surprise, the door of the waiting room had been locked.
“I asked Bamaiyi if he was aware that we had been locked inside.
“Something kept telling me that something was wrong, but I could not place a finger on it.”
Abdulsalami added: “After some time, the door was opened and the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, came in.
“After waiting for about half an hour, I reasoned that it was odd.
“Major-General Ishaya Bamaiyi joined me shortly after. We waited for about an hour.
“I decided to go and see Abacha by any means because I could not understand why I would be kept that long.
“To my greatest surprise, the door of the waiting room had been locked.
“I asked Bamaiyi if he was aware that we had been locked inside.
“Something kept telling me that something was wrong, but I could not place a finger on it.”
Abdulsalami added: “After some time, the door was opened and the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, came in.
“He said: ‘Let’s go.’ We walked towards the residence and I informed him that I was told Abacha was at the office.
“It was at this stage that he informed me that Abacha was dead.
“I was shocked. I asked him what happened and he insisted we proceed first.
“He did not tell me anything else.
“When we got to the residence, I asked to see Abacha’s body. I was told it was inside.
“I entered the room and removed the covering.
“I was in shock at the sudden development.
“I prayed for him and left the room.”
He was later in the day named as Abacha’s successor after a vote by the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC).
He then midwifed the nation’s transition to civilian rule from June 1998 to May 1999 when he handed over to a democratically elected government led by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Tinubu, Gowon, Obasanjo, Jonathan, others hail ex-Head of State’s transition role
Nigeria’s political elite, former heads of state, serving government officials, foreign leaders, traditional rulers, diplomats and business leaders converged on the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday to celebrate Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s 84th birthday.
Three books chronicling his life, leadership and contributions to peace building and democratic governance were unveiled on the occasion.
The event, which also served as a fundraiser for the proposed Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre, generated close to N2 billion in donations and pledges from prominent Nigerians and institutions.
Foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced a donation of N500 million, while the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, pledged N250 million.
Businessman Alhaji Dahiru Mangal donated N100 million, while the Niger State Government pledged N350 million towards the project.
Several other individuals and organisations made undisclosed commitments, bringing total donations and pledges to nearly N2 billion.
The three books unveiled at the event were Call of Duty: An Autobiography of Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar; Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar and Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honour of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, used the occasion to announce federal government support for the proposed Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre in Abuja.
Tinubu directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to allocate a large expanse of land along the Airport Road corridor for the project, adding that the Federal Government would fund its construction.
“The establishment of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre is a worthy initiative that aligns with the values General Abdulsalami Abubakar has championed throughout his life,” the President said.
“In recognition of its importance, I hereby direct the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to allocate a very huge piece of land within the Federal Capital Territory along the Airport Road for the development of the centre and the advancement of its mission.”
He added that the Federal Government had already reviewed the building plans and would finance the project.
Tinubu described Abdulsalami as one of Nigeria’s most consequential leaders, praising him for keeping his promise to return the country to democratic rule after assuming office in 1998.
“At a moment of profound uncertainty, when Nigeria stood at a crossroads, Providence entrusted him with the responsibility of leadership.
“He pledged to return the country to democratic rule and fulfilled that pledge faithfully and honourably.
“In doing so, he rendered one of the greatest services any leader can render a nation.
“He placed country above self and principle above power,” he said.
According to the President, the transition programme supervised by Abdulsalami in 1999 laid the foundation for the Fourth Republic and the country’s longest uninterrupted democratic era.
Abdulsalami gave Nigerians hope, says Gowon
Former Head of State and Chairman of the occasion, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), said Abdulsalami assumed leadership at a delicate period when Nigeria desperately needed reassurance, stability and direction.
According to Gowon, the former military ruler’s stewardship restored public confidence that a path forward remained possible following the political uncertainty that followed the death of Gen. Sani Abacha.
“You came into office at a very delicate moment for Nigeria, when the country needed calm, reassurance and a clear sense of direction,” Gowon said.
“Nigerians were looking for a way forward and your stewardship at that time helped create the confidence that such a path was still possible.”
Gowon described the decision to organise elections and transfer power within 11 months as one of the most significant acts of leadership in Nigeria’s history.
“In choosing to organise elections and to hand over power within 11 months, you did something of lasting significance for our country.
“You helped restore confidence in the promise of democracy and demonstrated that leadership, especially in a time of uncertainty, must be anchored in responsibility and in the national interest,” he said.
The elder statesman also praised Abdulsalami’s ability to earn the trust of both military officers and civilian political leaders during the transition process.
Obasanjo credits ex-Head of State with restoring democracy, sustaining transition
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Abdulsalami as a dependable partner in peace building efforts across Africa, particularly in conflict mediation initiatives undertaken under the auspices of the African Union.
Obasanjo recalled how he enlisted the former Head of State to serve on the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, where both men worked alongside other African leaders for more than a decade in efforts to promote peace and stability in the troubled country.
He said Abdulsalami brought to the assignment the same qualities of patience, integrity and commitment to dialogue that characterised his leadership in Nigeria.
The former president noted that while the challenges in Sudan ultimately proved difficult to resolve completely, Abdulsalami’s dedication to the cause of peace never wavered, describing him as one of Africa’s most respected voices on mediation and conflict resolution.
Obasanjo said the former military ruler’s contributions extended far beyond Nigeria’s democratic transition, stressing that his interventions through the National Peace Committee and various international peace missions have helped to strengthen democratic culture and political stability across the continent.
He commended the publication of the three books in Abdulsalami’s honour, describing them as important historical documents that would preserve the lessons of leadership, sacrifice and nation-building embodied by the former Head of State.
He resisted pressure to remain in office, says Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also paid glowing tribute to the former military ruler, crediting him with stabilising Nigeria’s democracy by resisting pressure to remain in office despite possessing absolute political and military power.
Jonathan said Abdulsalami’s decision to hand over power within 11 months remains one of the most selfless acts in Nigeria’s political history.
“If there is anybody we can give credit to for stabilising democracy in Nigeria today, it is General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“A military Head of State, surrounded by military officers and all the instruments of power, with people urging him to remain in office, yet he had the courage to say no. That takes somebody with uncommon commitment to the peace and progress of the country,” Jonathan said.
The former president noted that many leaders succumb to pressure from associates and beneficiaries of power, but Abdulsalami chose national interest over personal ambition.
He also praised the former Head of State’s post-office contributions through the National Peace Committee and his mediation efforts across Africa, particularly in conflict resolution and democratic consolidation.
Tinubu described Abdulsalami as one of Nigeria’s most consequential leaders, praising him for keeping his promise to return the country to democratic rule after assuming office in 1998.
“At a moment of profound uncertainty, when Nigeria stood at a crossroads, Providence entrusted him with the responsibility of leadership.
“He pledged to return the country to democratic rule and fulfilled that pledge faithfully and honourably.
“In doing so, he rendered one of the greatest services any leader can render a nation.
“He placed country above self and principle above power,” he said.
According to the President, the transition programme supervised by Abdulsalami in 1999 laid the foundation for the Fourth Republic and the country’s longest uninterrupted democratic era.
