“He was prepared to stand against anyone — even himself”

Chairman of the Organising Committee for the public presentation of three books in honour of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), Maj. Gen. Aliyu Abdulrashid (retd), on Saturday recounted how the former military leader firmly rejected pressure from within the armed forces to extend his transition programme beyond the six months he had promised Nigerians.

Abdulrashid, who served as Abdulsalami’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) after he assumed office in 1998, said the former Head of State remained resolute despite growing calls from some military officers to prolong military rule.

Speaking at the book launch held on the eve of Abdulsalami’s 84th birthday, Abdulrashid described him as a leader who was willing to make difficult decisions in the national interest, regardless of personal or institutional pressures.

“He was ready to go to any extent, including against himself, in order to do what was right for the country,” he said.

The event featured the presentation of three books: Call of Duty: An Autobiography of Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar; Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar; and Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honour of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Recalling events leading up to Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, Abdulrashid said opinions within the military were sharply divided after Abdulsalami unveiled his six-month transition programme.

According to him, one group of officers supported the timetable as announced, another favoured an extension of between five and six months, while a third insisted that civilians were not yet prepared to take over governance.

“When he rolled out the six-month transition programme, people within the military held different views,” Abdulrashid said.

“One group believed the programme should proceed exactly as proposed. Another felt there should be an extension of about five or six months, while a third group argued that civilians were not ready to take over the country.”

Concerned by the growing debate, Abdulrashid said he approached Abdulsalami and conveyed the sentiments being expressed within the military hierarchy.

“I told him, ‘Sir, there are those who believe we should extend the six months so that we can bring some of these groups on board.'”

The response, he said, was immediate and unequivocal.

“He looked at me and said: ‘It is my duty and responsibility to take decisions on behalf of this country based on what is good for the nation and its people. I have taken my decision, and that is what I will do.'”

According to Abdulrashid, Abdulsalami’s refusal to yield to pressure ultimately paved the way for the successful transition from military rule to democratic governance on May 29, 1999.

He noted that the former Head of State’s steadfastness and commitment to national interest remain among the defining features of his leadership legacy.