Former head of state, Abdulsalami Abubakar
The former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has reflected on one of the most consequential periods in Nigeria’s history, saying the decision to hand over power to a civilian government in 1999 was both a political necessity and a moral obligation to rescue the country from prolonged instability.
Speaking at his 84th birthday celebration and the public presentation of three books chronicling his life and contributions to nation-building, Abdulsalami urged Nigerians to remain committed to democracy, peace and strong institutions, insisting that the gains of democratic governance far outweigh any alternative system.
The event, held at the State House, Abuja, and titled “The Legacy of a Statesman @ 84,” featured the launch of his autobiography, “A Call of Duty: My Autobiography,” alongside “Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honor of General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar,” and “Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, GCFR.”
The former Nigerian leader was in office for 11 months between June 1998 and May 1999, when he handed over power to a democratically elected government headed by Olusegun Obasanjo, a former head of state.
