Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has recounted the emotional moment former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, informed him of the death of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola in 1998.
Obasanjo spoke on Saturday in Abuja during events marking Abdulsalami’s 84th birthday and the launch of his autobiography, Call of Duty.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s turbulent political climate following the death of General Sani Abacha, Obasanjo praised Abdulsalami for steering the country through one of its most delicate periods and laying the foundation for the return to democratic rule.
According to Obasanjo, Abdulsalami inherited a nation gripped by political uncertainty but moved swiftly to restore confidence by releasing political detainees and initiating a transition programme that eventually led to the 1999 elections.
“You emerged from the clouds and carefully proceeded to untangle the nation politically. Political prisoners were released, and I was one of the beneficiaries of that process,” Obasanjo said.
The former president revealed that Abdulsalami had been making arrangements for the release of Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Obasanjo said Abdulsalami regularly updated him on efforts to secure Abiola’s freedom and even asked him to relay messages to the family.
He recalled that Abiola’s son, Kola, had already arrived in Abuja in anticipation of his father’s release when tragedy struck.
“Kola was already in Abuja to pick up his father when the unexpected happened. I remember you telling me on the telephone, ‘Our man is dead,'” Obasanjo said.
Abiola died in July 1998, barely a month after the death of General Abacha, a development that further deepened the political crisis surrounding the annulled presidential election.
Despite the setback, Obasanjo commended Abdulsalami for handling the aftermath with maturity and restraint, preventing the country from sliding into further instability.
He noted that within less than a year of assuming power, Abdulsalami successfully returned Nigeria to democratic governance, a system that has remained in place for 27 years.
Obasanjo said the former military leader should be remembered not only for overseeing the transition to democracy but also for helping to preserve and strengthen it.
The former president also paid tribute to four military leaders he described as key contributors to Nigeria’s survival and development: General Yakubu Gowon, the late General Murtala Muhammed, the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
While acknowledging that none of them were perfect, Obasanjo said their contributions played significant roles in shaping modern Nigeria.
The event also featured the unveiling of Abdulsalami’s autobiography, Call of Duty, which chronicles his leadership during Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democratic governance following years of political turmoil.
