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Fresh twist to June 12: Abiola was set for release, says Obasanjo
For a little delay, the winner of the 1993 presidential election and business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola, would have been released from detention before he passed on.
Chief M.K.O. Abiola won the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election. However, the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the poll, denying him his mandate. Abiola steadfastly refused to surrender, eventually declaring himself president in 1994, which led to his arrest and eventual death in detention.
Speaking during the public presentation of three books in honour of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), held as part of activities marking the retired general’s 84th birthday, former Nigerian president and military head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that Abubakar was working towards securing the release of the late MKO Abiola.
He disclosed that Abdulsalami kept him regularly informed of efforts to secure Abiola’s freedom and maintained communication with members of the late politician’s family.
According to him, arrangements were already underway for Abiola’s release before the unexpected death of the acclaimed winner of the annulled election.
“I remember you calling me on the telephone and saying, ‘Our man is dead.’ I asked, ‘Which man?’ and when you mentioned Abiola, I screamed,” Obasanjo recounted.
He commended Abdulsalami for the manner in which he managed the aftermath of Abiola’s death and for successfully steering the country back to democratic rule within less than a year of assuming office.
“Within less than one year of your taking office, we had democracy restored, and 27 years after that restoration, we still have democracy,” he said.
Obasanjo also credited Abdulsalami with helping to sustain the democratic transition after handing over power in May 1999.
He revealed that the former Head of State maintained regular consultations with him after he became president, frequently presenting written observations and recommendations on national issues.
“Can I forget how regularly you came with a piece of paper containing all the points you wanted to discuss with me about what was going on, what should be done and how you saw things?” Obasanjo said.
“We sat down and looked at them one by one. I answered what could be answered immediately, and what could not be answered on the spot, I responded within 24 hours.”
He described the practice as a remarkable demonstration of statesmanship and commitment to the success of the democratic project Abdulsalami initiated.
Obasanjo, however, used the occasion primarily to celebrate Abdulsalami, whom he described as one of four military leaders whose contributions were instrumental to the survival and evolution of modern Nigeria.
He identified former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, the late General Murtala Mohammed, the late Lt.-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi and Abdulsalami as military leaders whose actions helped shape the country’s history.