Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has revealed in his autobiography Call of Duty that his administration considered multiple political options following the death of military ruler Sani Abacha in 1998, but did not plan an immediate handover of power to the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
According to excerpts from the book scheduled for public presentation in Abuja, Abdulsalami said his government was engaged in consultations with key stakeholders on how to resolve Nigeria’s political crisis that followed Abacha’s death.
He explained that options under consideration included the formation of a Government of National Unity, the initiation of a fresh democratic transition programme, or assigning Abiola a significant role within the emerging Fourth Republic, rather than immediately inaugurating him as president.
The former military leader noted that while there were strong calls from some quarters for Abiola to be sworn in based on his widely believed victory in the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, his administration preferred a broader consultation process before taking a final decision.
The revelations have renewed public debate over the military’s handling of the transition period and the fate of the June 12 mandate, which is still regarded as Nigeria’s most credible electoral outcome.
Abdulsalami also recounted the events surrounding Abiola’s death on July 7, 1998, during a meeting with a United States delegation led by former US ambassador to Nigeria, Tom Pickering, and diplomat Susan Rice.
He said the delegation had visited Nigeria to assess the political situation and specifically requested to meet Abiola, but were initially denied access before he intervened to ensure the meeting took place.
According to him, he was later informed that Abiola had collapsed and died during the meeting at the State House Clinic, a development he described as shocking and deeply distressing.
Abdulsalami further stated that the incident placed additional strain on the fragile political transition process and complicated efforts to stabilize the country at the time.
He also addressed long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding Abiola’s death, including allegations of poisoning, dismissing them as unfounded and harmful to both the late politician’s legacy and the government of the period.
Abiola, who won the annulled 1993 presidential election, died while in government custody in 1998, shortly after the death of Sani Abacha, an event that triggered nationwide unrest and political tension.
