Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former head of state, says pursuit of peace has been his “core mission” since he handed over to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.
Abubakar spoke in Abuja on Saturday during celebrations
marking his 84th birthday and the launch of three of his new books, including
his autobiography.
The former head of state oversaw Nigeria’s transition to
democracy in 1999 and handed over power to Obasanjo as the democratically
elected president.
He became the head of state on June 8, 1998, following the
death of Sani Abacha, the former head of state.
Abubakarnoted that at the beginning of his tenure as the
head of state, he promised Nigerians that his administration would depart from
the era of decrees by handing over to a democratic government.
The former head of state said his administration fulfilled
the promise by midwifing Nigeria’s return to democratic government on May 29,
1999.
“As a build‑up, we had to depart from the era
of decrees and fashion out a workable constitution, legitimise the transition
from military rule to democratic government,” he said.
“As I have often said, and I quote again: ‘Leadership is not
about power but about responsibility, and the best way to lead, the best way to
live, is to serve with integrity’.
“True to this commitment, within 11 months, my
administration midwifed the transition that restored democratic governance to
Nigeria on 29 May 1999.
“This was not just a political but a moral imperative to set
our nation on the path of stability, unity, and progress.”
The former head of state said after he left public service,
“the pursuit of peace has always been at the core of my mission”, adding that
no nation can survive without peace.
Abubakar recounted some of his peace initiatives in the
country through the national peace committee and the establishment of peace
institutions.
“Stepping aside from public office did not mean stepping
away from national service; the pursuit of peace has always been at the core of
my mission, recognising that no nation can truly survive without peace,” he
said.
“I championed human capacity development with the
establishment of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable
Development Studies.
“This centre has become a hub for research, dialogue, and
strategic engagement on conflict resolution, mediation, and nation‑building
in Nigeria and across Africa.
“As the saying goes, and I quote again: ‘Peace is not the
absence of conflict but the presence of justice’. This conviction continues to
guide my efforts in fostering dialogue and consideration.
“It informs my desire to scale these values by the
establishment of the Isla Omouukka Resource Centre here in Abuja, the seat of
our national government.
“Beyond my personal effort, the National Peace Committee,
which I had the privilege of chairing, has also played a significant role in
ensuring credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria through dialogue, advocacy,
and engagement with political actors, civil society, and security agencies.”
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