General Abdulsalami Abubakar is a Nigerian Elder statesman and a military general who served as the de facto President of Nigeria from 1998 to 1999. He was also Chief of Defence Staff between 1993 and 1998. He succeeded General Sani Abacha upon his death.
General Abubakar gave room for democratic dispensation in Nigeria, which started with the eight-year rule of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
During his leadership, Nigeria adopted a modified version of the 1979 constitution, which provided for multiparty elections. He transferred power to president-elect Olusegun Obasanjo on 29 May 1999. He is the current Chairman of the National Peace Committee.
The National Peace Committee came into prominence and became pertinent in the build up to the 2015 general elections, when there were threatening signs that the outcome of the elections, especially the Presidential, could wreak havoc on the nation.
The Committee ensures parties and all stakeholders sign a peace accord that no violence would occur, before elections. The Committee also ensures that issues that would brew violence are checkmated.
It already appears that the only body Nigerians trust to stand on the path of truth and speak the truth to all and sundry, no matter whose ox is gored, is the General Abdulsalami Abubakar led Peace committee. The Committee has rekindled the confidence of Nigerians, as it has risen up to situations as occasions demand.
The Committee led by General Abdulsalam Abubakar and supported by prominent Nigerians, including top clerics successfully reduced the tension that pervaded the air just before the elections. Through their prevalence and advocacy, they doused the tension, which gave room to a constitutional and peaceful conduct of the elections.
Through his undoubtedly matured act, Abdulsalam and his committee prevailed on the then incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan to put a call across to his main rival, who is the current President. He congratulated him on his success at the polls even when the result had not been officially declared by the electoral umpire – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). With that singular move, tension was diffused and the nation heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Abubakar as military head of state ensured the transfer of power to an elected president in 1999. He led Nigeria from June 8, 1998 to May 29, 1999, and is Nigeria’s 8th and last military Head of State.
One of his promises after succeeding late Sani Abacha, who died mysteriously in office, was to hand over power to civilians. On May 29, 1999, he kept his promise after a general election that ushered in Olusegun Obasanjo as president.
Gen. Abubakar inherited a divided Nigeria, whose armed forces particularly were concerned about jostling for power rather than safeguarding the land. So, he said, his government had a mandate to “change this perception and attend to the prevailing political unrest”, a leading Media House once reported.
However, Abubakar’s legacy is mixed. However, Abubakar helped in the Liberian peace movement by presiding over the 2003 peace talks between Charles Taylor and the opposing rebels.
It could be said that his career in the Nigeria Army, prepared him for the times to come. After joining the army in 1966 as an officer cadet, Abubakar attended the emergency combatant short service course two. In October 1967, Abubakar was commissioned second lieutenant, infantry division, Nigerian army. From 1967-1968, Abubakar was general staff officer two, second garrison, and commanding officer, 92 infantry battalion from 1969-1974. Between 1974 and 1975, he was made brigade major, 7th infantry brigade. In 1975 he served as commanding officer, 84 infantry battalion. In 1978-1979, Abubakar was commanding officer for the 145 infantry battalion (NIBATT II), United Nations Interim force, Lebanon.
In 1979 he was made assistant adjutant general 3rd Infantry division, Nigeria. From 1980-1982, Abubakar was chief instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy. In 1982 he was appointed as the colonel of administration and quartering, 1st mechanised division. A position he held up until 1984. From 1985-1986, Abubakar was the commander of the 3rd mechanised brigade. He served as the military secretary of the army, 1986–1988. Abubakar was made general officer commanding 1st mechanised division 1990-1991. Between 1991-1993, he was the principal staff officer, as the army chief of plan and policy, Defence Headquarters.
From 1993-1998, General Sani Abacha appointed Abubakar as the Chief of Defence Staff. Upon Abacha’s death on 8 June 1998, Abubakar took power as the military president of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces on 9 June 1998.
After the Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar led Committee appears to have satisfied Nigerians with its performance, it since etched itself on national marble and the psyche of Nigerians. This opened a vista of concurrent National assignments reposed in the Gen. Abdulsalami led committee.
One could not just worry for Gen. Abubakar, who has sacrificed so much to ensure Nigeria enjoys peaceful transition every election year. More so, such a thankless job that if not properly handled will attract a lot of backlash, could be worrisome, but the General and his team never give up. But considering the calibre of men driving it, one cannot but expect a good, indeed excellent, performance from it.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the Editorial Team of TheScript Newspaper
