Former Nigerian presidents and eminent statesmen have hailed former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), for his role in restoring democratic rule and laying the foundation for the country’s democracy in 1999.
The leaders, including former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as other prominent personalities, spoke at the State House in Abuja during an event held to celebrate Abdulsalami’s 84th birthday and the presentation of his autobiography.
The event, themed “Legacy of a Statesman”, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, Julius Bio, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, among others.
They described Abdulsalami as a patriot whose selfless leadership “at a critical moment in the nation’s history” helped stabilise the country and return it to civilian rule.
Obasanjo said Abdulsalami played a pivotal role in steering the country through political uncertainty following the death of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in 1998.
According to him, Abdulsalami carefully managed the transition period, released political prisoners and laid the foundation for the return of democratic rule within one year of assuming office.
“You (Abdulsalami) are a great military leader, an officer and a gentleman, a patriot and a nationalist. An elder stateman and a peacemaker. You sagaciously managed the seeming confusion and uncertainty that followed Abacha’s death. You emerged from the clouds and carefully proceeded to untangle the nation politically”, Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo said Abdulsalami’s contributions went beyond restoring democracy, noting that he also helped sustain it through his support for successive democratic governments.
“Within one year of your taking office, we had democracy restored and 27 years after that restoration, we still have democracy,” the former president said.
On his part, Gowon said Abdulsalami oversaw one of the quickest and most seamless transitions from military to civilian rule in recent history.
“He led one of the fastest and seamless democratic transitions from military to civilian rule in recent history. He supervised Nigeria’s constitution, he also midwifed and supervised one of the most seamless and credible elections in Africa today,” the former Head of State said.
Gowon further praised his contributions to peace efforts across the continent, describing him as a respected mediator in regional conflicts.
Jonathan described Abdulsalami as a key figure in the country’s democratic journey, crediting him with stabilising the nation at a critical moment in its history.
“If there is anybody that we can give credit to, who has stabilised democracy in Nigeria today, the person is Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. A Military Head of State with so many well-ironed khaki people around him with assault rifles and APCs, dying that we would still stay on, and for you to have the courage to say no, it takes someone who has uncommon commitment to the peace and progress of the country,” Jonathan said.
He added that Abdulsalami had remained deeply committed to national peace and democratic consolidation beyond his time in office.
Also paying tribute, the President of Sierra Leone, Bio, said Abdulsalami would be remembered for choosing democracy over personal ambition at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history.
According to Bio, the former Nigerian leader had the opportunity to remain in power but instead chose to hand over to a democratically elected civilian government.
He said, “In 1998, Nigeria stood at a defining crossroads. The authority of the state rested firmly in his hands, yet he chose national interest over personal ambition, democracy over incumbency and country over self.
“He (Abdulsalami) walked out of this house so that Nigeria could walk forward.”
The event also featured a review of Abdulsalami’s 274-page autobiography.
Reviewing the book, Prof. Kabiru Isyaku described it as a memoir, testimony, historical reflection and personal confession that chronicles a life dedicated to service.
“It is not merely the story of a former Head of State; it is the account of a life shaped by discipline, tested by history and ultimately defined by service,” he said.