Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has opened up on the dramatic events surrounding the 1993 military coup that brought late General Sani Abacha to power, disclosing how he was reluctantly pulled into the unfolding drama.
In Chapter 17 of his newly released 264-page autobiography titled Call of Duty, Abdulsalami recounts his experiences during the political crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
At the time, he was serving as Commandant of the National War College.
Abdulsalami revealed that he twice rejected Abacha’s offer to become Chief of Army Staff after the coup that ousted the Interim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.
He told Abacha he did not want to be used as a tool by civilians manipulating the military.
According to the book, Abacha, then Minister of Defence and the most senior military officer left in government maintained significant influence following General Ibrahim Babangida’s exit.
Abdulsalami’s first indication of the brewing plot came from Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu, then Chief of Naval Staff, who visited him at home on a Monday evening in November 1993.
Saidu warned that “these Army guys are thinking of a coup” and made it clear the Navy would not participate. Abdulsalami immediately distanced himself, stating he was not involved.
He received a second alert on November 17, 1993, when retired Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua called to inquire about rumours of plans to remove Shonekan. Abdulsalami said he had no prior knowledge.
That evening, Shonekan resigned, paving the way for Abacha to assume power. The following days brought intense pressure on Abdulsalami.
He declined invitations to key military meetings, faced persuasion attempts from senior officers including Lt-General Jeremiah Useni, and even endured public embarrassment when turned away at the gate of Flag Staff House for not being on the official list.
Later, an officer informed him he was being appointed Chief of Army Staff, an offer he confronted Abacha about directly.
Abdulsalami set strict conditions before agreeing to any role: he demanded transparent communication regarding any potential retirement and the freedom to always speak the truth to Abacha.
Ultimately, Abdulsalami was named Chief of Defence Staff (then known as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff), the highest military position, a development that reportedly surprised him when he learned of it from a journalist.
The revelations come from Abdulsalami’s book, publicly presented in Abuja to mark his 84th birthday, with high-level government representation.
The autobiography also touches on his long personal and professional relationship with Abacha, dating back to their school days and Civil War service.
Abdulsalami later succeeded Abacha as Head of State in 1998 and oversaw Nigeria’s transition to civilian democratic rule in 1999.
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