Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday joked that he and Yakubu Gowon, former military head of state, would not be around when Abdulsalami Abubakar celebrates his 100th birthday.
Abubakar, was the military head of state who oversaw
Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999 and handed over power to Obasanjo as
the democratically elected president.
Obasanjo spoke in Abuja on Saturday at the presidential
villa during celebrations marking Abubakar’s 84th birthday and the launch of
three of his new books, including his autobiography.#
“Congratulations. You will reach 90. And I will be there.
You will reach 100. I and general Gowon will not be there,” he said.
The former president said without the efforts of four
military leaders, the country would not be where it is today.
He listed the leaders as Gowon, the late Murtala Muhammed,
Adekunle Fajuyi and Abubakar.
“They are all not perfect human beings. They all made
mistakes, but they all made contributions without which we would not have been
able to have the Nigeria of today,” Obasanjo said.
“Let me emphasise that I am talking of military leaders, not
Nigerian leaders. Military Nigerian leaders. And let me begin by saying I am an
eyewitness and a direct participant in almost all the actions and activities of
the four of them.”
Obasanjo also commended Abubakar for managing the
“uncertainty” that followed the death of Sani Abacha, former military ruler, in
June 1998.
“You emerged from the clouds and carefully proceeded to
untangle the nation politically. Political prisoners were released, and I was,
as has been said by the president of the senate, the beneficiary of that,” he
said.
“Your next move was how to get MKO Abiola released, and you
kept me regularly informed and also asked me to relay messages to the family.
“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 Abubakar handled the aftermath of Abiola’s
death “dexterously” and ensured a successful transition to democratic rule.
He said within less than one year of Abubakar taking office,
Nigeria had its democracy restored, adding that the country still has its civil
rule intact 27 years after owing to his efforts.
The former president noted that Abubakar not only initiated
and ensured the restoration of democracy but also helped sustain it.
Among the books launched was ‘Call of Duty’, Abubakar’s
autobiography, which recounts Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999
following the prolonged political crisis triggered by the annulment of the June
12, 1993, presidential election.
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